Yellowstone Bison Leaves Hiker With “Significant” Injuries

National Geographic / YouTube

A woman hiking through Yellowstone National Park on Sunday (June 20) was injured by a bison during her visit. NBC Montana reported on the incident.

According to NBC Montana‘s report, the woman was hiking near a trail at the northern end of Yellowstone Lake when she was harmed by the bison. Park spokeswoman Linda Veress spoke with the publication about the woman’s injuries, saying they were “significant.”

But Veress did not describe the type of injuries the woman sustained or which body parts were harmed.

Another report about the incident from Montana newspaper The Billings Gazette offers a few more details. According to Veress, who also spoke with The Billings Gazette, the woman was hiking with a companion when they had the “encounter” with the bison.

“We’re not clear how the encounter with the bison occurred,” Veress told the publication in an email. She also said there were no photos or videos of the incident.

The Billings Gazette reports the woman was flown to the Eastern Idaho Medical Center in Idaho Falls to receive treatments for the injuries she sustained. There are no further details about this incident to report on as of press time.

A 2016 report from the CDC stated, “bison have injured more pedestrian visitors to Yellowstone National Park than any other animal” since 1980. In her email to The Billings Gazette, Veress wanted to make people aware of how important it is to give wild animals their space:

“The recommendation is that people stay more than 25 yards away from all large animals including bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose and coyotes and at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves,” the article from The Billings Gazette reads.

Bison are magnificent creatures, as the below video from National Geographic proves. But when we visit their territory, it’s important to admire their magnificence from a distance to ensure everyone’s safety.