Bison mating season is underway in Yellowstone National Park and the greater ecosystem. During the ‘rut’, as it is known, park visitors need to pay attention to their own safety.
The rut is at is peak in mid-August and male bison are particularly aggressive at this time.
Bison will congregate in herds to compete, socialize, and breed.
The bulls are on high alert and can get aggravated easily. Yellowstone rules say to stay further than 25 yards away.
Even if they seem docile, bison in Yellowstone National Park are wild and can be dangerous when approached.
Park rangers say that when an animal is near a campsite, trail, boardwalk, parking lot, or in a developed area, give it space. If need be, turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting bison. Bison can run three times faster than a human.
Earlier this summer, a woman from Arizona was gored by a bison in Yellowstone.
The 47-year-old woman was walking with another individual in the field in front of Lake Lodge when they spotted two bison. They quickly turned around to walk away but one of the bison charged the woman.
She suffered severe injuries to her abdomen and chest, and a helicopter transported her to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Reports indicate that she had 7 fractured vertebrae and partially collapsed lungs, but she is recovering.
The last time someone was injured by a bison in Yellowstone was in the early summer of 2022.
A 34-year-old male from Colorado Springs, Colorado, was gored by a bull bison near Giant Geyser at Old Faithful on June 27. He was walking with his family on a boardwalk when a bull bison charged them. The man sustained an injury to his arm and was transported by ambulance to an area hospital.
During mating season from mid-July through mid-August, bison can become very agitated very quickly. Use extra caution and give them additional space during this time.
The wild animals in Yellowstone are unpredictable and dangerous, no matter how calm they appear to be.
The safest way to view wildlife is from inside a car.
Park officials say to always stay at least 25 yards away from bison or elk and 100 yards away from bears and wolves.
Read more about safety in the park, including how to behave around wildlife.
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