Badlands National Park, South Dakota – Getting the perfect selfie isn’t worth risking your life.
A viral video making the rounds on Instagram shows a woman walking within just a few feet of a massive American bison inside Badlands National Park, stopping to snap a selfie while another visitor records the entire encounter.
The video has quickly drawn criticism online, with many calling it another classic example of a “touron”—a tourist ignoring well-known wildlife safety rules for a photo.
Watch the video below:
While the bison in the video appears calm, that’s exactly what makes these encounters so deceptive.
According to the National Park Service, visitors at Badlands National Park are required to stay at least 100 feet (30 meters) away from all large wildlife, including bison. The animals may appear slow or docile, but they can accelerate to 35 mph—faster than most people can sprint—and are capable of inflicting life-threatening injuries with their horns.
The National Park Service also warns that visitors should never approach a bison for a photograph, attempt to feed or touch one, or block its path. If a bison begins staring directly at you, pawing the ground, snorting, raising its tail, or moving toward you, it’s time to slowly back away and create more distance.
This Isn’t Just About Rules—People Get Hurt
This video comes just days after a 65-year-old visitor was violently tossed into the air by a bison in Yellowstone National Park, suffering multiple broken bones after the animal unexpectedly charged. Park officials continue to remind visitors that wild animals are unpredictable, even when they appear calm.
Unfortunately, dangerous wildlife encounters have become increasingly common as visitors chase viral social media moments. Every summer, National Park Service rangers respond to incidents involving people getting far too close to bison, elk, bears, and other wildlife.
Bison Safety Tips
If you encounter a bison in Badlands National Park:
- Stay at least 100 feet (30 meters) away.
- Never approach for a selfie or photo.
- Never feed or touch a wild animal.
- If the bison shows signs of agitation, slowly increase your distance.
- If you’re driving and a bison is on or near the road, remain inside your vehicle and wait for it to move away.
No Instagram post is worth gambling with a 2,000-pound wild animal.
Sources
- National Park Service – Badlands National Park Safety: https://www.nps.gov/badl/planyourvisit/safety.htm
- National Park Service – Bison Safety: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/bison/visit.htm
- National Park Service – Bison Facts: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/bison/bison-facts.htm