Yellowstone National Park is home to the largest bison population on public land in the country.
Despite also being home to robust populations of predators like wolves, bears, and mountain lions, the animal found in Yellowstone that is statistically the most dangerous to humans is the bison.
The most recent person to be injured by a bison in the park went down this past weekend.
According to Jackson Hole News & Guide, a 30-year-old Michigan woman sustained significant injuries stemming from a run in with a bison. She was airlifted to a nearby hospital in Idaho Falls.
She was hiking with a partner on the Storm Point Trail when the goring occurred, however according to Pubic Affairs Officer Linda Veress, it’s unclear how it happened:
“We’re not clear how the encounter with the bison occurred. The female sustained significant injuries and was flown to Eastern Idaho Medical Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho.”
This is reportedly the first bison goring that Veress had heard of this year.
Research from 2018 assessed the history and frequency of human-bison encounters in the park, and revealed that bison injure one or two people in the park each year on average. Bison have injured more park visitors than any other animal, a statistic that has a lot to do with the fact that people think they can approach bison as opposed to other animals perceived to be more dangerous.
They’re not cows people…
With large crowds expected at National Parks throughout the summer, the National Park Service is reminding visitors to give wild animals plenty of space, urging people to stay at least 75 feet away from large animals and at least 300 feet away from bears and wolves.
The last thing you want to do is wind up on the list of the dumbest visitors to ever visit a national park, so please be respectful and behave while enjoying the great outdoors this summer.
And whatever you do, don’t approach a bison for a photo.
It just might steal your pants… or worse.
