Yellowstone National Park‘s 2.2 million acres provide visitors with unparalleled opportunities to observe wildlife in an intact ecosystem. The park is home to a vast range of mammals from small weasels to massive grizzly bears but the bison is easily Yellowstone’s most iconic beast.
Yellowstone is the only place in the U.S. where bison have lived ceaselessly since prehistoric times. They mark the largest bison population on public land in the country with an estimated 5,400 (as of 2024) living in the park. Bison are the largest land mammal in North America, weighing up to 2,000 pounds, and can run at speeds up to 35 miles per hour.
Despite the park’s massive size and numerous wildlife viewing opportunities, some visitors seem to have a hard time resisting the urge to crowd the wildlife. Yellowstone is very clear with it’s rules and regulations when it comes to behavior around animals, especially around bison, yet people still frequently break those rules putting both themselves and the animals at risk.
Such was the case in this clip taken on Monday, June 2, when two parents with their very young children approached far too close to a bison in the Pebble Creek area of Yellowstone National Park. Fortunately the bison stayed calm through the interaction but one misstep and this could have ended a whole lot worse.
Despite their often less-than-threatening demeanor, bison have injured more people in Yellowstone National Park than any other animal. All animals need to be given a safe amount of space (100 yards for wolves and bears, 25 yards for every other animal), but bison incidents are particularly common. The massive animals are unpredictable and can run up to three times as fast as people. These parents are absolutely endangering their children by approaching this close. Read more on bison safety below.
Yellowstone National Park Bison Safety:
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.
The absolute lack of judgenet really translates to stupidity and disrespect. Teach your children and those children who are watching how to behave and how to respect rules. Im floored that those parents thought they were an exception to the rules and such little disregard for their children’s safety.
Those mothers should be arrested. They need to consider whether they should be allowed to keep their children. Total idiots.
I think what needs to be done at these part since nobody can follow posted rules and common sense is not not allow regular vehicular traffic. Have people board busses and only allow so many tours a day. It is absolutely mind blowing that these activities of so called human beings is aloud to go on. Is it because of lost revenue? Let me tell you something these parks are the homes of wildlife you would not accept behavior that is rude and disrespectful in your own home. Something needs to be done. I think these state parks are more concerned about money then about preserving wildlife and the wilderness and that is way beyond sad.
Wtf is wrong with people. Can they possibly be that stupid? I’m not even sure what to say. If those bison attacked the babies, would those pinhead tried to sue the park? Are they setting their offspring up for death to make a dollar? I can’t figure it out! I don’t understand!
A complete idiot. If the child were hurt or killed, I’m sure they would blame the buffalo or the park for not warning them
STUPID STUPID STUPID FU??ING TOURISTS THEY SHOULD BE JAILED
These parents should be charged with child endangerment