A bull bison attacked a grandfather at Yellowstone National Park's Bridge Bay Campground on Friday, launching him several feet into the air and goring him as he walked with his grandson.
Video captured by photographer Mike MacLeod shows the animal charging the man during mating season. MacLeod and other witnesses ran toward the bison, shouting and appearing larger, which caused the animal to retreat. Yellowstone EMS transported the man with what witnesses described as significant injuries.
The incident is notable because it does not fit the typical narrative of tourist recklessness. The man and his grandson maintained appropriate distance and were not seeking photographs or ignoring warning signs. Witnesses reported that people in the campground were actively alerting others to the bison's presence and keeping back.
"The man did what he was supposed to do," MacLeod said, describing the bison's behavior as unusual. The animal had already charged a group of children, a passing truck and a couple before pursuing the grandfather with apparent singular focus.
Bull bison during the rut, the annual mating season that typically begins in late July, are known to become unusually aggressive. They wallow, bellow, challenge rivals and exhibit reduced tolerance for perceived threats.
This is Yellowstone's second reported human-bison incident in 2026. A 12-year-old was injured near Mud Volcano in June.
Park officials said they are reviewing the incident. The attack highlights the challenges of managing human presence in wildlife habitat and raises questions about whether current safety protocols are adequate.
Solutions under consideration include more granular real-time communication systems to alert campers when agitated animals are in the area, environmental design modifications such as wildlife barriers at high-traffic camping areas, and seasonal adjustments to campground operations during peak rutting periods.
