Florida Man Injured by Bison in Yellowstone National Park
MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY – On May 4, 2025, a 47-year-old man from Cape Coral, Florida, was injured by a bison in Yellowstone National Park, marking the first bison-related injury of the year. The incident took place around 3:15 p.m. in the Lake Village area near Yellowstone Lake, according to a National Park Service (NPS) news release. The man suffered minor injuries after getting too close to the bison, which responded by goring him.
Park rangers and emergency medical personnel provided on-site treatment. The incident is under investigation, and no further details have been released. The NPS stresses that bison are unpredictable and have caused more injuries in Yellowstone than any other animal, including bears. Visitors must stay at least 25 yards (23 meters) from bison, elk, moose, and other large animals, and 100 yards (91 meters) from bears and wolves.
Dangers of Approaching Bison
Bison, North America’s largest land mammals, can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and sprint at speeds three times faster than humans. While not naturally aggressive, they will defend their space if they feel threatened. The NPS notes that bison attacks often occur when visitors ignore the 25-yard minimum distance rule, as seen in this incident. Past incidents include a 2024 goring near Storm Point Trail, where an 83-year-old woman was seriously injured, and a 2023 attack near Lake Lodge Cabins that left a woman with significant injuries.
Safety Guidelines for Visitors
The NPS urges visitors to maintain safe distances, especially in high-traffic areas like trails, campsites, or boardwalks. If a bison approaches, visitors should slowly back away or find an alternate route. Warning signs of an agitated bison include a raised tail, snorting, or pawing the ground. The park also advises extra caution during the bison mating season (mid-July to mid-August), when the animals are more likely to react aggressively.
Yellowstone, home to about 5,400 bison, is one of the few places in the U.S. where these animals have lived continuously since prehistoric times. The NPS emphasizes that respecting wildlife not only protects visitors but also ensures the safety of the animals. For more safety information, visit nps.gov.
This incident highlights the critical need to respect wildlife boundaries in Yellowstone to prevent harm to both people and animals.
- Yellowstone Bison Photo Credit: Klaus Stebani on PIxabay.com
