A 59 year old woman from Santa Rosa, California, was gored by a bison at Yellowstone National Park after a crowd got too close to animal.
The group she was in were within 10 yards of the bull on a boardwalk in the Lower Geyser Basin when the incident took place. The Casper Star Tribune reports the animal became agitated and charged, goring Hancock. Park rangers say people should keep at least 25 yards from bison.
Kim Hancock was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Big Sky, Montana, suffering a hip injury and has been reported to be in good condition according to a statement released Thursday by the National Park Service.
Here’s a little bit from Yellowstone’s website about Bison danger:
“Bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal. Bison are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans. Always stay at least 25 yards (23 m) away from bison.”
This is the fourth injury at Yellowstone caused by animal interaction in little over a month and will most likely not be the last avoidable injury involving an animal at Yellowstone this summer so just as a friendly reminder these are the park’s safety policies:
Yellowstone’s scenic wonders are sure to take your breath away: don’t let them take your life. From boiling hot springs to thousands of wild animals, some of the hazards in Yellowstone will be new to you. Protect yourself and the sights you plan to enjoy by following a few simple rules:
- Never approach animals. The animals in Yellowstone are wild and unpredictable, no matter how calm they appear to be. The safest (and often best) view of wildlife is from inside a car. Always stay at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves, and at least 25 yards (23 m) away from all other animals, including bison and elk.
- Stay on boardwalks and trails in thermal areas. Hot springs have injured or killed more people in Yellowstone than any other natural feature. Keep your children close and don’t let them run.
- Never feed wildlife. Animals that become dependent on human food may become aggressive toward people and have to be killed. Keep all food, garbage, or other smelly items packed away when not in use.
- Never park in the road or block traffic. Use pullouts to watch wildlife and let other cars pass. Stay with your vehicle if you encounter a wildlife jam.
We can’t guarantee your safety in Yellowstone, but these concepts will help you avoid the most common accidents. See below for more great advice, and be sure to review our Rules & Regulations, Laws & Policies, and tips for backcountry travel.
