The Plains bison (bison bison bison) marks one of two bison subspecies in America (the wood bison is the other). There were once tens of millions of these animals roaming across North America, but systematic slaughtering of the animals by European settlers dramatically decreased their populations. Today there are around just 20,500 Plains bison in conservation herds across the continent, a number much higher there where their population once stood.
Yellowstone National Park is the only place in the world that’s been home to bison since prehistoric time, comprising the largest bison population on public land in the United States. The park’s population tends to range from 3,000 to nearly 6,000 individuals, with with a pre-calving estimate of 4,550 bison noted in the spring of 2024. The animals alone attract tourists to the park, though those visitors don’t always behave as they should like in the video below.
Obviously in this case the child doesn’t deserve the blame. The person who appears to be the child’s father, who has a camera pointed and seems to encourage the child to touch the animal, very much is. Yellowstone’s bison are responsible for more injuries than any other animal inside the park, and their space needs to be respected. The park requires that the animals are given at least 25 yards (75 feet) at all time. Read more on bison safety below:
Yellowstone National Park Bison Safety Guidelines:
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.
- Give bison space when they are near a campsite, trail, boardwalk, parking lot, or in a developed area. If need be, turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in close proximity.
- Approaching bison threatens them, and they may 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.
- 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.