A man approached a bison on May 4 in Yellowstone National Park, and the animal “gored” him, according to the park. The 47-year-old man was visiting from Florida when he underestimated how closely he could get to the animal, and it charged at him. Thankfully, the man sustained only minor injuries from the bison attack, and Yellowstone says medical personnel were standing by to help him.
“This is the first reported incident of a person injured by a bison in 2025,” wrote Yellowstone personnel in an official statement. “There were two reported incidents in 2024 and one in 2023.”
[RELATED: Sound on: Ever Wondered What a Bison Sounds Like? It’s Eerie.]
As the busy summer season at many national parks, including Yellowstone, approaches, this incident serves as a poignant reminder. As the park put it in its statement: “Wildlife in Yellowstone are wild and can be dangerous.”
This is especially true when visitors do not respect wild animals’ space. Yellowstone notes that bison will defend their space when threatened. And, in case you think you can outrun these animals, Yellowstone says no, you can’t. The park advises staying 25 yards or more away from bison.
“It is your responsibility to stay more than 25 yards (23 meters) away from all large animals – bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes – and at least 100 yards (91 meters) away from bears and wolves,” Yellowstone advises. “If wildlife approach you, move away to always maintain these safe viewing distances.”
See the park’s official Facebook post about the first bison attack of the year at Yellowstone here: