A 65-year-old grandfather is recovering from injuries after a bison at Yellowstone National Park threw him at least eight feet into the air. The encounter took place in a campground where the animal had already been seen moving among tents, and a park photographer who recorded the scene then rushed in to help.
Campers first noticed the lone bison wandering through the site, running around the area before it settled and rested briefly on the grass. That pause was the moment the grandfather and his grandson walked into view and stopped to take photos. The setting looked ordinary — a paved loop, picnic tables, tall pines and tents pitched a short distance away, with other campers nearby as the animal moved through.
A Charge in the Campground
The man appeared to sense trouble the moment the bison got to its feet, signalling that it was time to leave. A white pickup truck then came into view, and the bison began to charge the fleeing pair.
The grandfather tried to hide among the trees, but the animal stayed in pursuit and eventually tossed him into the air — at least eight feet, according to the account of the attack. Dust rose across the open ground as the bison moved, pumping its legs and head in what was described as very aggressive behaviour.
Mike McLeod, a local park photographer who had been documenting the scene, put down his camera and tried to distract the bison by yelling and jumping up and down. He then went to the injured man and stayed with him until he could be helped.
"He was in a lot of pain and he was trying to not move his leg, but his immediate concern was for his grandson."
McLeod said the grandson was shaken but doing okay. The older man is now recovering from the injuries he suffered.
Why Summer Turns Risky
Experts say summer can be a particularly dangerous time of year to be near male bison, because it lines up with the peak of the bison rut. During that period, the males are driven by hormones as they compete for territory and for females.
Ron Magill, identified on screen as a conservation liaison, described how the animals behave during the season and what visitors should do when one is close. His guidance is mostly about distance and speed:
- Move away slowly
- Do not run
- Avoid fast or sudden movements
"Do not run, do not make any fast types of movements."
Backing off calmly gives the animal room to leave. Running or quick gestures can push a tense moment further, which is why the advice repeats at campgrounds and trailheads each summer.
The Wider Picture
Encounters of this kind tend to resurface every summer, when heavy visitation overlaps with the breeding season. The message from wildlife specialists stays consistent: keep space, leave the animal an escape route, and let it decide how close it wants to be.
What began as a photo stop turned into a rescue within seconds. Campers were already in the area while the animal moved through the site, and the situation escalated faster than anyone standing nearby could have planned for.
For the family involved, the day ended with an injured grandfather, a shaken grandson and a photographer who chose to step in rather than keep shooting. No official conclusion about the incident has been released, and details of the man's treatment have not been made public.
What would you have done if a bison stood up a few dozen feet away from where you were standing?
This story was edited from a publicly posted video; some details may not be independently verified.
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