Yellowstone National Park Warns Visitors to Be Wary of Bison

The statement comes after a bison recently charged at a man at one of its campgrounds.

Published: 7/15/2026, 11:25:30 PM EDT

Yellowstone National Park Warns Visitors to Be Wary of Bison — A bison grazes in the Yellowstone National Park, Wyo., on July 9, 2020. (Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images)

Yellowstone National Park on Tuesday explained the reason behind aggressive bison activity this summer as officials urge visitors to remain vigilant after a recent dangerous encounter.

“Use extra caution this time of year - the bison rut is beginning!” the park wrote in a statement on X.

The park, in its statement, said visitors should be aware of bison behaviors that are commonly associated with aggressive mating displays.

“You may see mature male bison with their mouths open, tongues out, and upper lips pulled back,” the park said. "This is how bull bison sniff pheromones and determine whether a female is ready to breed. Bulls will also display their dominance by bellowing, wallowing, and engaging in fights with other bulls. The winners earn the right to mate with receptive females."

The park's statement comes after a bison recently charged at a 65-year-old man at one of its campgrounds, chasing him around a tree before launching him eight feet into the air. The incident happened on July 10.

The man, Carl McDaniel, was hospitalized for injuries he sustained in the attack, including a broken femur. He had surgery on July 12 and could stand by July 13.

“I will be doing physical therapy for the next few days to get to walk, but it was not as catastrophic as it could have been,” McDaniel told CNN.

Officials said that even though the bison may appear docile, they are “wild and unpredictable” animals.

“Be sure to always maintain a distance of at least 25 yards (23 meters) from them, and if a bison charges, retreat!” the park said.

Meanwhile, the man from Washington who was thrown at least eight feet into the air by a charging bison at a Yellowstone National Park campground a few days ago continues to recover from injuries.

The viral video shows the terrifying moment the man launched into the air.

Interior Secretary Scott Burgum cited the incident in a statement on Wednesday.

“We encourage visitors to take flights to our parks, but not from our wildlife,” Burgum wrote.

“Glad a recent visitor is recovering after an unlucky encounter at @YellowstoneNPS and a reminder for all to keep a safe distance from wildlife and follow @NatlParkService guidance for a safe visit!” he added.

Park officials say that bison tend to become aggressive when people don’t give them enough space and have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other wild animal.

In May, a park visitor from Florida was gored by a bison—the first such violent encounter of 2025—just weeks into the busy summer season. In 2025, at least two people were gored by bison, including an 83-year-old woman from South Carolina who suffered serious injuries. In 2023, a bison seriously injured a woman from Arizona in the park. Two parkgoers were injured by bison in 2022.

Yellowstone National Park noted on its website that the safest and often best view of wildlife is from inside a car.

It advises parkgoers to always stay at least 100 yards away from bears, wolves, and cougars, and to maintain a distance of at least 25 yards away from all other animals, including bison and elk. If an animal approaches a person, the park said it's best to back away to maintain a safe distance.

The park also warned that it is illegal to willfully remain near or approach wildlife, including birds, "within any distance that disturbs or displaces the animal."

Audrey Simons and The Associated Press contributed to this report.