News Release

Man gored by bison in Yellowstone National Park

Bison and visitors using the boardwalk at Fountain Paintpots (this photo is not of the specific incident described below).

NPS / Jim Peaco

News Release Date: June 28, 2022

Contact: Morgan Warthin, 307-344-2015

• A 34-year-old male from Colorado Springs, Colorado, was gored by a bull bison near Giant Geyser at Old Faithful on June 27.
• The male was walking with his family on a boardwalk when a bull bison charged the group.
• Family members did not leave the area, and the bull bison continued to charge and gored the male.
• The male sustained an injury to his arm and was transported by ambulance to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.
• This incident remains under investigation, and there is no additional information to share.
• Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park are wild and can be dangerous when approached. When an animal is near a campsite, trail, boardwalk, parking lot, or in a developed area, give it space. Stay more than 25 yards (23 m) away from all large animals - bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes - and at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves. If need be, turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in proximity.
• This is the second reported incident in 2022 of a visitor getting too close to the animal and the bison responding to the perceived threat by goring the individual.
• Bison are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans.
• Read more about safety in the park, including how to behave around wildlife.
• Visitors: This year marks 150 Years of Yellowstone. Protect the park today and for future generations. Take the Yellowstone Pledge!