This bison herd in Yellowstone National Park had to put it into overdrive – and stampede through a river – to get away from a wolf pack in hot pursuit.
If there was a place to go to see North America’s largest land animal, it would be Yellowstone. Somewhere around 5,000 bison call Yellowstone National Park home. With most of them traveling in herds, encountering a large group on the move like this isn’t out of the ordinary. That being said, witnessing a herd running away from predators is a rare sight to see.
The setting of this clip is the Lamar Valley area of Yellowstone National Park. The area is actually known for its active bison population, and it appears that both humans and wolves are aware of that. A tour guide from the Yellowstone area named Billy Fabian was in the right place in the right time to video this smaller herd frantically crossing the Lamar River to escape a hungry pack of wolves.
In case you didn’t know, bison aren’t exactly slowpokes. The 2,000 pound beasts can top out at around 35 miles per hour, and though they are heavy (and obviously slow down in the water), they are formidable swimmers. Wolves aren’t too shabby in the water either, but as soon as the herd starting crossing the Lamar, the wolves stayed put on the other side and watched their potential dinner trot away.
Why did they abandon the pursuit so quickly? Well, as top-heavy and large as bison may seem, they are hard animals to bring down… especially for wolves, who primary prey on elk and other, smaller animals.
When wolves do go after bison, they’ll generally do their best to narrow down one bison out of the pack. They usually go for one of the slowest, one that’s injured, or in a lot of cases, one that’s the youngest. Bison herds often respond by practicing herd mentality – sticking together and making sure no bison is left behind. The word for that – if you might recall – is utilitarianism
Clearly, this group of bison (though it was on the smaller side) was doing a great job of not showing any weaknesses in the herd. So when they crossed the river, and quickly at that, the wolves decided to let them walk. It’s a never ending fight for survival and food out in the wild. Evidently, this wolf pack didn’t think the juice was worth the squeeze anymore, and likely regrouped and went after an easier meal.
That was great news for this bison herd, who made it to the other side of the Lamar River and kept it moving, just in case the wolf pack changed their mind and decided to continue their pursuit. It’s a beautiful example of nature – and the food chain of Yellowstone – in motion. Shout out to tour guide Billy Fabian for getting the footage.
Check it out:
“Wolves from the Junction Butte Pack chased a small herd of bison in Yellowstone Lamar Valley. But the bison made good their escape across the Lamar River.”
