YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK – A peaceful evening at a popular campground turned terrifying Friday when a massive bull bison charged a tourist, hooking him with its horn and violently tossing him nearly a full story into the air, leaving the man seriously injured.
Dramatic video captured by professional photographer Mike MacLeod shows the agitated bison storming through Bridge Bay Campground, south of Fishing Bridge, kicking up clouds of dust as it rampaged past picnic tables, vehicles and unsuspecting visitors. The animal, described by MacLeod as "angry, agitated and charging anything and everything," suddenly targeted a grandfather walking with his grandson.
In the shocking footage, the bison barrels toward the man, lifts him off the ground with its horns and hurls him approximately 8 feet into the air. The victim lands hard on his side, writhing in pain as the bison continues its chaotic charge through the area. MacLeod, a Bozeman-based photographer and former combat photographer, sprang into action, running at the animal to distract it and allow others to assist the injured man."
The victims were far away and respectful. This changed all my expectations," MacLeod told reporters. He noted the bison's behavior was "really weird" given the distance, adding it seemed like the animal "was looking for a fight."Yellowstone EMS responders rushed to the scene and transported the man to a hospital, where he remains in serious condition with significant injuries to his hips and leg. There were no visible external wounds, but internal damage has kept him hospitalized and not yet out of danger.
Park officials confirmed this is the second bison-related injury involving a visitor in Yellowstone this year. Bison, which can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and sprint at speeds over 30 mph, are especially unpredictable and aggressive during the annual rut from June through September, when bulls compete for dominance and mates.
Yellowstone National Park repeatedly warns visitors to keep at least 100 yards away from bison, roughly the length of a football field, but incidents continue to occur as tourists flock to see the iconic animals up close. Despite the posted safety guidelines, the sheer size and power of these wild beasts mean even seemingly calm encounters can turn deadly in an instant.
The injured tourist and his family were doing what countless visitors do every summer: enjoying the natural wonders of America's first national park. Instead, they came face-to-face with one of its most formidable residents.
Park authorities continue to investigate the incident and urge all visitors to respect wildlife boundaries. With millions of tourists descending on Yellowstone each year, officials stress that maintaining distance isn't just a suggestion, it's a matter of life and serious injury.
