A video posted to social media showing visitors at Yellowstone National Park laughing at what they called a "dancing" bison drew heavy criticism after wildlife experts said the animal was displaying aggressive behavior and appeared to be preparing to charge.
The footage, shared on Facebook by Jake Slater and circulated widely online, shows a horned bison running toward a group of tourists, snorting, tossing its head and bouncing across grass near a boardwalk. Only a low wooden fence separated the visitors from the animal.
George Wuerthner, an ecologist, author and bison advocate, told Cowboy State Daily that the animal’s actions were not playful. "That bison was not performing except to demonstrate his agitation. They are so fast, and these people were way too close," Wuerthner said. He added that the animal’s stiff, raised tail was a clear signal of distress, and that a boardwalk or small fence offers a false sense of security when a large, frightened bison decides to charge.
Online commenters echoed the expert’s warnings, criticizing the visitors for approaching a wild animal and relying on a low fence for protection. Some observers recalled other dangerous encounters, including incidents in which bison broke through barriers and severely injured or gored people. The National Park Service confirmed earlier this year that a 47-year-old Florida man was gored by a bison in May after approaching it too closely; a tourist from New Jersey was also reported gored in June.
Yellowstone draws roughly four million visitors annually, and park officials repeatedly warn people to keep distance from wildlife. Wuerthner told Cowboy State Daily that many visitors behave as if they are in a controlled setting, like a zoo, and misinterpret familiar animals as harmless. "People have this sense that bison are like cows in a pasture, but more people get hurt from bison than from bears or any other animals in Yellowstone," he said.
The video captures a shift in the group’s demeanor as the encounter escalated: laughter and giddiness gave way to discomfort and caution as the bison snorted and tracked the visitors. Some comments on the post speculated that a fur-trimmed hat worn by a member of the group may have attracted the bison’s attention, though experts point to the animal’s body language — including snorting, head tossing and erect tail — as the main indicators of agitation.
Wildlife officials and advocates stressed that such incidents underscore longstanding safety guidance at Yellowstone: view animals from a distance, remain in vehicles when directed, and never approach or attempt to interact with wild animals. The National Park Service regularly posts specific distance recommendations and cautions that wild animals can move quickly and unpredictably.
While fatalities from bison encounters are rare, experts say injuries are not uncommon when people enter an animal’s personal space. Wuerthner said the episode is a reminder that Yellowstone’s wildlife remain wild and can respond aggressively when they feel threatened.
"When bison are agitated, their tails are held out straight," he said. "That's a sign that you've got to be careful. He was really upset."
Park officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the specific video, but reinforced general guidance that visitors should keep safe distances and respect the animals’ natural behavior.