Woman, 72, gored multiple times by bison while taking pics after ‘threatening’ it ‘repeatedly’ by coming too close – The Sun

AN ELDERLY woman was gored by a bison multiple times in Yellowstone National Park after she tried to get a close-up photo of the wild animal.

The 72-year-old allegedly moved within 10 feet of the bison multiple times while trying to take a picture of it on June 25 at the Bridge Bay Campground in Wyoming.

Experts believe the bison's violent reaction was because he perceived the California tourist, who currently remains unidentified, as a threat.

"The series of events that led to the goring suggest the bison was threatened by being repeatedly approached to within 10 feet," Yellowstone's Senior Bison Biologist Chris Geremia said in a statement to ABC News on Tuesday.

"Bison are wild animals that respond to threats by displaying aggressive behaviors like pawing the ground, snorting, bobbing their head, bellowing, and raising their tail.

"If that doesn't make the threat (in this instance it was a person) move away, a threatened bison may charge."

To be protected against a bison, Geremia suggests staying at least 25 yards away from the animals and moving away or running for cover if they charge.

Park rangers rushed to the scene and attempted to administer first aid to the woman before she was airlifted to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center to treat multiple stab wounds.

The park didn't disclose her current condition, and the incident remains under investigation, according to ABC News.

"Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park are wild," Yellowstone authorities said in their statement.

"When an animal is near a campsite, trail, boardwalk, parking lot, or in a developed area, give It space. Stay more than 25 yards (23m) away from all large animals – bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes and at least 100 yards (91m) away from bears and wolves.

"If need be, turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in close proximity."

This isn't the first time a bison at the park has charged at a Yellowstone visitor.

In July 2019, a nine-year-old girl was injured after a bison charged and tossed her in the air while she was on a tour near Yellowstone's Old Faithful Geyser area, WITI reported.

The girl from Florida was taken to the Old Faithful Lodge for treatment and was later released, park officials told the news station.

Bison are the largest mammal in North America, according to the US Department of the Interior.

A male American bison, or a bull, stands 6 feet tall and can weigh up to 2,000 pounds.

The animals can run up to 30 miles per hour.

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