In brief
In the final hour of a sunny Friday at Bridge Bay Campground, a 2,000‑lb bison in Yellowstone seized a 65‑year‑old man and tossed him several metres into the air. The viral clip captured the frantic chase as the elder and his grandson tried to outrun the charging animal. Witnesses reported that the victim endured multiple injuries but remained conscious and even joked about the ordeal. The National Park Service has issued a warning to keep a minimum of 25 yards from bison, especially during the July mating season when bulls become more aggressive. The incident highlights the delicate balance between wildlife and human curiosity in Yellowstone’s bustling summer months.
Wild Yellowstone Visitor Gets Tossed by 2,000‑lb Bison
When a 65‑year‑old Man, Carl Isom-McDaniel, was photographing a bull bison near Yellowstone Lake, the massive animal charged, hooked the villager with its left horn and flipped him high into the air within seconds.
Video of the incident, posted by local rancher Mike MacLeod, now circulates worldwide and has prompted the park to re‑emphasise the need for keeping a safe distance from wild cattle.
At the scene, a teenage boy and his grandfather had drawn a picture of the bison across the grass. The animal then jumped to its feet, carrying a rushing wind of dirt, and chased them through a thicket before catching the elder man again.
After the encounter, Isom‑McDaniel displayed severe pain, especially in his leg, yet remained conscious and even humorously remarked on the ordeal. He was promptly taken to a local hospital for treatment of multiple injuries.
The National Park Service has not yet released a full incident report but is urging visitors to maintain a minimum distance of 25 yards (23 metres) from bison and avoid approaching them for photos.
This event comes in July, the busiest month for Yellowstone, when approximately 60 % of visitors come in, overlapping with the bulls’ mating season—when testosterone spikes can make the animals more unpredictable, according to Colorado State University expert Jennifer Barfield.
The park’s safety guidelines stress that bison can reach speeds up to 30 mph, outpacing human reaction times, and that any accidental encounter is best avoided. This incident underscores the need for visitors to heed these guidelines, particularly during peak breeding months.
For visitors: keep calm, maintain distance, and remember no photography at 25‑yard range.
