Bison Charges Truck in Yellowstone National Park
Dashcam video captures a dramatic encounter between a driver and a bison on a dark road.
A driver experienced a startling encounter with a bison on a dark road in Yellowstone National Park when the animal charged and struck his truck. The incident occurred around 2:45 a.m. on August 10.
Kyle Weber was driving his Ford Ranger through the park when he was forced to stop for a large bison standing in the middle of the road. The encounter took place near Mud Volcano, a hydrothermal area within the park.
Video footage shows the bison approaching Weber's vehicle before suddenly charging and colliding with the front of the truck. Weber, a mechanic traveling from Canyon Village to Fishing Bridge, told Cowboy State Daily that he was "jolted" by the impact, which pushed his truck back at least 18 inches. The bison's charge dented the truck's bumper and hood, and broke a side marker light.
Weber indicated he plans to repair the truck and may keep the dented hood as a memento of the event. His friend, Stephen Borgmier, shared the video on Facebook, noting that "The bison do own the roads in Yellowstone."
The National Park Service states that bison can run up to 35 miles per hour, jump 6 feet vertically, weigh up to 2,000 pounds, and pivot quickly. They advise visitors to maintain a distance of at least 25 yards from bison, always yield to them, and remain in their vehicles if encountered on the road.
This is not the only recent aggressive encounter with a bison in Yellowstone. In July, a 65-year-old man was reportedly thrown by a bison and suffered multiple broken bones.