A family was driving thrοugh Yellοwstοne Natiοnal Park in Wyoming when a herd οf bisοn stampeded in their direction—with οne οf the beasts ramming intο their rental car, a new viral video shows.
The Delle Chiaie family, who recorded the thrilling moment on camera, were caught in the stampede last Tuesday while driving through the Lamar Valley near the park’s northern border. The area is an animal watching site particularly famous for its large herds of bison, pronghorns and other wildlife.
At the beginning of the footage, dozens of bison can be seen rushing onto the road, effectively stopping all traffic. The family suspect’s the sound of another driver’s car alarm set off the bison.
“That guy’s backup alarm set them off,” a family member said.
At one point, a huge bison came right at their car and rammed into it, smashing the bumper and cracking the windshield. The whole family can be heard screaming in horror.
“Oh man, there gοes sοme mοney,” the father said. “Thanks for not taking the insurance.”
The beast didn’t appear to be hurt. Instead of stopping to swap insurance info, it ran away with the herd. The Delle Chiaies family, however, would have to come up with the money for the repairs.
“I can’t believe we didn’t take the insurance,” the father said in regret, suggesting that all damages to this rental car while in their possession would be covered out of their own pocket.
This isn’t the first incident involving visitors and Yellowstone bison this summer. On July 22, a bull bison charged a group of about 50 tourists near the Old Faithful geyser, tossing a 9-year-old girl into the air, the park reported.
The girl was taken to the Old Faithful Lodge by her family where she was treated by a park medic. She was later seen at the Old Faithful Clinic and then released. The incident is still under investigation.
Shortly after that, on July 28, a 17-year-old tourist was hit and injured by a bison in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota. A witness said that the victim was walking along the trail as a herd of bison was nearby. Two bull bison had been fighting moments prior and were on either side of the trail when the 17-year-old walked between them. One bull charged from behind, striking him in the back. Upon impact, the animal gored the teen’s right thigh and sent him soaring 6-feet into the air, according to a National Park Service press release.
Yellowstone is the only place in the United States where bison have lived continuously since prehistoric times, according to National Park Service. The Yellowstone Park herd was estimated last year to have 4,500 bison. They can be seen all year round in the Hayden and Lamar valleys.
The park service recommends that visitors stay at least 25 yards away from all large animals. That includes bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes and at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves. If need be, turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal.
