The woman was gored by a bison after approaching it to within 10 feet. Photo: Unsplash
A woman was gored by a bison at Yellowstone National Park on the morning of Monday, May 30.
The 25-year-old, who was visiting the park from Grove City, Ohio, survived her injuries, although multiple outlets first reported that she was killed.
“As the bison walked near a boardwalk at Black Sand Basin (just north of Old Faithful), the female on the boardwalk approached it,” the Yellowstone officials said in a press release about the incident. “Consequently, the bison gored the woman and tossed her 10 feet into the air.”
Emergency medical personnel from the park responded immediately, and the victim was transported via ambulance to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center where she was treated for a puncture wound and other injuries.
According to officials, the woman, along with two other people, were well within the 25 yard distance requirement. The victim was apparently within 10 feet of the animal. Bison have injured more people at Yellowstone than any other animal in the park.
“They are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans,” park officials wrote. “Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park are wild and can be dangerous when approached. When an animal is near a campsite, trail, boardwalk, parking lot, or in a developed area, give it space. Stay more than 25 yards (23 m) away from all large animals – bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes and at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves. If need be, turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in close proximity.”
