Overview
- A 12-year-old visitor was hurt by a bison near the Mud Volcano boardwalk in Yellowstone and was taken to a nearby hospital by emergency responders.
- Park officials say an investigation is underway and have released guidance that visitors must move away if wildlife approach and must not willfully remain near or disturb animals.
- The park reminds visitors to stay at least 25 yards from large animals and 100 yards from bears, wolves and cougars, noting bison are unpredictable and can run far faster than people.
- Officials and reporting connect this incident to a recent pattern of bison injuries in the park, including goring incidents last year that park staff said involved people getting too close.
- Thermal areas and short boardwalks concentrate visitors near free-roaming bison, and the park has said findings from the probe could lead to stepped-up outreach or enforcement to prevent further encounters.