2,000-Pound Bison Launches Yellowstone Visitor Eight Feet

Eight feet. That is how high witnesses say a Yellowstone National Park visitor was thrown after a bull bison caught him with its horn at Bridge Bay Campground on Friday. The man, who had been walking with his grandson, suffered serious injuries after an encounter that witnesses said began while visitors were maintaining a considerable distance from the animal.

The Bottom Line

• A bull bison attacked a man at Bridge Bay Campground, south of Fishing Bridge, on Friday.
• The animal reportedly hooked the visitor near his hip and tossed him about eight feet into the air.
• The man's grandson escaped, while bystanders distracted the bison and called emergency services.
• Witnesses said the pair had not approached the animal and were initially a considerable distance away.
• This was Yellowstone's second reported human-bison incident of 2026.

Breaking It Down

Professional photographer Mike MacLeod was camping nearby when his wife noticed the bull entering the campground. According to his account, the bison moved aggressively through the area, charged toward children who were photographing it from a distance and later stopped to wallow in a patch of dirt.

The man and his grandson then appeared on the road during an evening walk. They briefly photographed the resting animal, but moved behind trees when it began to stand. A passing pickup truck drew the bison's attention momentarily before the animal turned toward the pair and pursued them through the trees.

The grandson managed to flee. His grandfather ran around the trees before the bison caught him with its left horn and flipped him into the air. MacLeod said the victim landed heavily on his side, with much of his pain centred around his hips and leg.

The danger continued after the man hit the ground. The bison remained close and shook its head rather than immediately leaving. MacLeod stopped recording and ran toward the animal while yelling, and other bystanders joined him. Their effort drove the bull away, allowing people to assist the injured visitor and contact 911. Yellowstone emergency personnel arrived shortly afterward and transported the man for treatment.

Why This Matters

Many widely shared wildlife encounters involve visitors ignoring park rules or moving too close for a photograph. Witness accounts describe a different situation here. MacLeod said the grandfather and grandson had kept their distance, while people across the campground were actively warning one another as the agitated bull moved through the area.

The incident happened during the bison rut (the mating season that runs from June through September). Bulls can display greater energy and aggression while competing for dominance and females. That context does not make every bison dangerous at every moment, but it shows why a resting or distant animal can still change direction quickly.

For Canadian travellers heading to Yellowstone or other North American parks, the practical lesson is that minimum-distance rules reduce risk but cannot eliminate it. Yellowstone advises visitors to remain at least 25 yards from bison and elk, and at least 100 yards from bears, wolves and cougars. Officials also recommend viewing wildlife from inside a vehicle and backing away whenever an animal moves closer.

What Comes Next

The National Park Service had not released a detailed account of the Bridge Bay attack or an official update on the man's condition in the provided reports. His grandson later told MacLeod that the victim had significant injuries and was still in serious condition.

The incident may also be reviewed alongside a June 26 encounter near Mud Volcano, where a 12-year-old visitor was injured by a bison. That earlier case remained under investigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did the Yellowstone bison attack happen?

It happened at Bridge Bay Campground, south of Fishing Bridge in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.

How high was the man thrown?

Witness Mike MacLeod estimated that the bull tossed the man about eight feet into the air.

Was the visitor too close to the bison?

Witnesses said the man and his grandson had kept a considerable distance and moved away when the animal began to stand.

Why was the bison so aggressive?

The attack occurred during the annual rut, when male bison compete for mates and may display increased aggression.

What distance should visitors keep from bison?

Yellowstone tells visitors to stay at least 25 yards away from bison and other large animals such as elk.

Was anyone else injured?

The grandson escaped, and no other injuries were reported in the supplied accounts. The grandfather was transported for treatment.