Bison Butts Elderly Yellowstone Visitor

Monday afternoon, a 72 year-old Boise, Idaho, woman was butted, pushed, and then tossed off a trail by a bison near Old Faithful. According to the woman, she didn't see the bison until she was right up on it.

The woman suffered only minor injuries, although she was transported by ambulance to Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg, Idaho. This is the first incident of a bison injuring a visitor in 2018. There was one incident in 2017 and five in 2015.

Park officials would like to remind Park visitors that animals in Yellowstone are wild and unpredictable, no matter how calm they appear to be. When an animal is near a trail, boardwalk, parking lot, or in a developed area, give it space. Always stay at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves, and at least 25 yards (23 m) away from all other animals, including bison and elk. If need be, turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in close proximity.