A recent incident in Yellowstone National Park saw a child chased by a bison after visitors approached the animal too closely, highlighting ongoing safety concerns. The encounter, captured on video, showed a group including children walking towards the bison despite warnings from onlookers.
As the group closed the distance, one child began to run, prompting the bison to give chase before the child escaped unharmed. This event underscores repeated warnings from park officials about the dangers posed by bison.
Park authorities have consistently stated that bison are responsible for more visitor injuries than any other wild animal in Yellowstone. They are described as unpredictable, capable of running three times faster than humans, and prone to defending their space when feeling threatened. The National Park Service mandates that visitors maintain a distance of at least 25 yards (75 feet) from all large animals, including bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, and coyotes.
This latest scare is part of a series of concerning encounters between visitors and bison in Yellowstone this summer. In a separate incident last month, a fisherman was nearly surprised by a bison that approached him while he was fishing. His wife’s persistent honking of a vehicle’s horn alerted him to the animal’s presence, and he moved away without incident.
Earlier in the summer, a viral video showed a bison ramming an SUV, puncturing a tire as traffic moved slowly through the park. The driver was forced to stop the vehicle after the impact.
One of the most serious incidents occurred in July when 65-year-old Carl Isom-McDaniel of Washington sustained multiple broken bones after an agitated bull bison charged him near Yellowstone Lake, throwing him several feet into the air. His grandson was unharmed, and other visitors intervened to distract the animal until emergency personnel arrived.
Park officials continue to remind tourists that bison are wild animals that can sprint at speeds of up to 35 mph and can become aggressive without warning, particularly during the summer breeding season. Despite regulations requiring a 25-yard distance, videos frequently surface showing visitors walking too close, stopping for photographs, or allowing children to approach wildlife.