Global Courant
A tourist in Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park was caught on video last month taking a selfie standing dangerously close to a bison.
The encounter was videotaped May 20 in Biscuit Basin and shows a woman standing over a bison lying in the grass.
The person who shot the video told Storyful they had “a bit of disbelief” when they stood in a parking lot and saw the woman risk her and the bison’s well-being for a selfie.
“We felt terrible for the bison,” the witness said. “We knew that if it accidentally got up, she would be impaled and it would most likely have to be euthanized through no fault of her own.”
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK OFFICIALS SAY A MAN DISTURBED BABY BISON, RESULTING IN DEATH
Tourists in Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park captured video last month of another visitor taking a selfie dangerously close to a bison. (Narrative)
The National Park Service (NPS) warns visitors to stay at least 80 feet away from all wildlife, including bison. Those who flout the park’s rules could face fines, possible injury and even death, according to the agency.
The woman, who has not been identified, approached the bison in Biscuit Basin on May 20. (Narrative)
“The safety of these animals, as well as the safety of humans, depends on everyone using common sense and following these simple rules,” says NPS.
Approaching wildlife not only endangers the individual, but also the welfare of the animals, officials say. (Narrative)
Park officials have said bison have injured more visitors in Yellowstone than any other animal. The park described bison as unpredictable and noted that the animals can run three times faster than humans.
The National Park Service warns visitors to stay at least 80 feet away from all wildlife. (Narrative)
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK: WHAT TO DO AND SEE, WHERE TO STAY, AND MORE
The video was shot on the same day another tourist was recorded trying to pet a bison grazing along a trail. That buffalo was seen lowering its head and lunging at the woman with its horns. The animal got caught on the tourist’s sweater, but she managed to free herself and appeared unharmed.
In another recent incident, a Hawaii man is being charged after Yellowstone staff euthanized a newborn bison calf he is accused of interfering with, causing the herd to reject the baby.
Last year, a bison in Yellowstone stabbed a 25-year-old Ohio woman and threw her 10 feet into the air after getting too close to the animal as it walked along a boardwalk at Black Sand Basin, just north of Old Faithful.
FOX News’ Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.
