Bison Charges, Wounds PA Woman In Yellowstone; 2nd Attack In 3 Days

LAKE, WY — A second visitor has been injured by a bison in the last three days at Yellowstone National Park.

A bull bison on Wednesday gored a 71-year-old woman near Storm Point at Yellowstone Lake, the National Parks Service said in an Instagram post.

The woman, from West Chester, Pennsylvania, was with her daughter when they inadvertently approached the animal as they returned to their vehicle at the trailhead. The bison charged and gored her.

She was hurt and taken to a hospital in Cody, but is expected to survive, the park service said.

The attack remains under investigation.

This marks the third reported bison incident this year.

As Patch previously reported, a Colorado Springs man was walking with his family on a boardwalk near Giant Geyser at Old Faithful on Monday when a bull bison charged the group in an attack the was recorded on video. The family didn't leave, and the bison continued charging, goring the man. An ambulance took him to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center with an arm wound.

On Memorial Day, a 25-year-old Ohio woman walked within 10 feet of a bison near a boardwalk at Black Sand Basin.

When the woman approached the walking bison, the animal gored her, tossing her 10 feet into the air, puncturing her and leaving her with other injuries. She was also taken to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center and survived her injuries.

The park service warned visitors Thursday that bison are wild, unpredictable and dangerous. Visitors should stay more than 25 yards away from the animals.

"Give bison space when they are near a campsite, trail, boardwalk, parking lot, or in a developed area," the park service said. "If need be, turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in close proximity."

The parks service said bison can feel threatened when approached, and can respond by bluff charging, head bobbing, pawing, bellowing, or snorting.

"These are warning signs that you are too close and that a charge is imminent," the park service said. "Do not stand your ground. Immediately walk or run away from the animal. Spray bear spray as you are moving away if the animal follows you."

Bison can run three times faster than humans.