A recent visitor to Yellowstone National Park, identified as Carl McDaniel of Bothell, Washington, sustained severe injuries, including multiple broken bones, after being gored and thrown by a bull bison. The incident occurred Friday evening near Bridge Bay Compound on the shore of Yellowstone Lake.
Video footage of the encounter, which has circulated widely, shows the bison becoming agitated and charging at McDaniel, a man in his mid-60s. The bull hooked him with a horn, tossing him approximately eight feet into the air.
McDaniel is a recognized community leader in Washington state, having served on the Columbia Valley water and parks districts boards, as well as the Whatcom County Surface Mining Advisory Committee and the Foothills Community Alliance. Described as a dedicated community member, he has been involved in local initiatives, including park development, and is known for his volunteer efforts, such as dressing as Santa Claus.
According to a photographer who witnessed the event, the bison had been exhibiting aggressive behavior towards other visitors before encountering McDaniel. The animal had initially approached a group of teenagers and later investigated a picnic table with food scraps. McDaniel, accompanied by his grandson, reportedly began taking photos of the bison. The photographer, Mike MacLeod, stated that the bison became aggressive after McDaniel and his grandson stopped taking pictures and attempted to leave.
While McDaniel's grandson managed to escape unharmed, McDaniel was unable to evade the charging bison. MacLeod intervened, along with other onlookers, to distract the animal, eventually causing it to retreat. A park ambulance arrived approximately 10 minutes after the attack, and other campers provided assistance until its arrival.
Despite the severity of his injuries, McDaniel was reported to be in good spirits and conscious following the incident. He expressed concern that his actions might have provoked the attack, but MacLeod maintained that the bison initiated the aggression.
Park regulations advise visitors to maintain a distance of at least 75 feet from bison. Official information from the National Park Service and Yellowstone National Park regarding the incident had not been released as of Sunday night. The attack occurred during the park's annual bison rut, a period from June to September when bulls are typically more aggressive due to heightened energy and competition.