Yellowstone National Park officials have announced that the bull bison involved in a recent attack on a visitor will not be euthanized or removed from the park. The animal will remain in its natural habitat despite the incident that left a grandfather with multiple broken bones requiring surgery.
The decision comes after the bison charged Carl Isom-McDaniel, a visitor who was walking with his grandson through a campground. The encounter was captured on video, showing the bison tossing McDaniel into the air.
According to wildlife photographer Mike MacLeod, who witnessed the event, he and other campers intervened to drive the bison away and provide aid to the injured man. MacLeod stated that neither McDaniel nor his grandson appeared to provoke the animal. He noted that the bull had previously charged a group of teenagers before focusing its attention on McDaniel and his grandson.
McDaniel has undergone surgery for his injuries and is currently recovering. MacLeod recounted that McDaniel's primary concern immediately after the attack was the safety of his grandson, who escaped unharmed.
Yellowstone National Park advises visitors to maintain a distance of at least 25 yards from bison. The park notes that these animals can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and are capable of running up to 30 miles per hour. Bull bison can exhibit increased aggression during the annual mating season.