On Monday morning, an Arizona woman was gored in the chest by a bison while visiting Yellowstone National Park.
The 47-year-old, who was from Phoenix, had been walking with another person through a field in front of the Lake Lodge Cabins on the north shore of Lake Yellowstone. As they spotted the two wild animals, they attempted to turn and walk away, but one of the bisons chased and attacked the woman.
This bison can reach a speed of up to 35 mph, three times faster than a human can run. Subsequently, the woman sustained “significant” injuries to her chest and abdomen and was airlifted to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.
The National Park Service issued a warning to all visitors, reminding them to keep their distance from large wild animals in the park. They should stay at least 35 yards away from bison and 100 yards away from bears and wolves. If a bison’s tail is standing straight up, it may signify that they are about to charge and visitors should immediately turn around and go in the other direction. This is the first bison goring of the year, however, last year multiple Yellowstone visitors were injured by the roaming beasts.
The National Park Service finished by emphasizing how important it is to love the bison from a distance and that regretful accidents happen when people get too close.