A grandfather was seriously injured in a dramatic encounter at Bridge Bay Campground and it serves as a stark reminder that during the summer mating season, wild animals don’t follow the 100-yard rule.
(Photo: Reuben Earth/Getty Images)
Published on July 13, 2026 02:55 pm
dramatic footage Watch the moment a bison attacked a 65-year-old man and then tossed him eight feet into the air outside Yellowstone National Park. A bystander, whose identity has not been released, said he had kept a safe distance from the bison before the incident.
in an email to OutsideThe National Park Service (NPS) said the man was injured on the evening of July 10. Bridge Bay CampgroundA high elevation area with 432 camping sites located near Yellowstone Lake.
A spokesperson said, “Park emergency medical personnel responded and transported him to a nearby hospital. There are no further details to share.” Outside.
The bison is the largest land mammal in North America, according to nps. Male bison can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and stand six feet tall, and historically have injured more people than any other animal in the park.
Photographer Mike MacLeod, who witnessed the incident, wrote, “The man in the photo is a grandfather who was out walking with his grandson in the evening. Both were at a respectful distance from this bull bison, but the bison nevertheless attacked.” Instagram. “The man was chased around the trees several times and then launched into the air. After the bull was caught, several campers ran to the man’s aid.”
In an interview with a Wyoming-based newspaper Cowboy State DailyMacLeod said the bull initially attacked a group of children who were taking pictures with their cell phones “at a considerable distance.” The Bozeman, Montana-based photographer said the bison ran through the campground, wandered across a patch of dirt, and then attacked a white pickup truck that apparently ran over the bison. After charging the truck, the bull approached the man and his grandson.
“The bison grazed his hip with his left horn and threw him into the air,” MacLeod said. Cowboy State Daily. “It just did a flip and landed on its side. The bison was at least six feet tall, and (the victim) was several feet above him.”
Wild animals can be aggressive and unpredictable, but based on the video, it doesn’t appear the man did anything to provoke the bison. The NPS advises visitors to stay at least 25 yards away from all large animals, including bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose and coyotes, and at least 100 yards away from bears, wolves and cougars.
“If wildlife approaches you, move away to maintain the required distance. Never approach, touch, feed or mob wildlife, even if an animal appears calm,” NPS. wrote. “Bison in Yellowstone have injured more people than any other animal. They are unpredictable, can run three times faster than humans, and will defend their space when threatened.
This incident is the second human-bison incident this year. In June, a 12-year-old boy was injured near the mud volcano. Medical responders transferred the child to a nearby hospital for treatment of his injuries, NPS wrote in a letter. statement.
July falls in the middle of the Yellowstone bison rut, or mating season, which lasts until September, according to nps. During a short period, usually between June and September, bison testosterone levels increase and these normally inactive grazers become more violent and aggressive.
Learn more about safety when visiting Yellowstone, including how to behave around wildlife. Here.
