Man gored by bison in year's first attack by Yellowstone's most dangerous wild animal
Context:
A 47-year-old man from Florida was gored by a bison in Yellowstone National Park, marking the first such incident of 2025, just weeks into the busy summer season. Despite repeated warnings from park officials about maintaining a safe distance from wildlife, the man approached too closely but fortunately sustained only minor injuries. Bison have historically been responsible for more injuries to park visitors than any other wildlife, with several incidents occurring in recent years. The park mandates a minimum safe distance of 25 yards from these massive animals, which can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and run faster than the men's world record in the 100-meter dash. The summer season, which began with road plowing in late April, sees millions of visitors, emphasizing the importance of adhering to safety guidelines to prevent such encounters.
Dive Deeper:
A visitor from Cape Coral, Florida, was gored by a bison at Lake Village in Yellowstone National Park, the first such incident of 2025, highlighting the dangers of close encounters with wildlife during the crowded summer season.
The 47-year-old man's injuries were minor, a fortunate outcome given the potential severity of bison attacks, which have historically resulted in serious harm to several park visitors.
Park officials continue to stress the importance of maintaining a safe distance from wildlife, specifying at least 25 yards from bison, which are known to be aggressive if approached too closely.
Bison have injured more visitors in Yellowstone than any other wild animal, with notable incidents in recent years, including the goring of an 83-year-old woman in 2024 and significant injuries to an Arizona woman in 2023.
Visitors sometimes underestimate the speed and size of bison, which can run up to 35 mph and weigh as much as 2,000 pounds, making them formidable and potentially dangerous if provoked.
The summer season at Yellowstone, drawing millions of visitors annually, began after road plowing in late April, underscoring the park's need for vigilant safety measures to prevent wildlife encounters.
Despite the excitement of observing wildlife, tourists are reminded that interfering with animals, such as picking up baby bison, can have fatal consequences for the animals and pose risks to humans.