A bison at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, US, has injured a child, according to park officials. The incident took place near Mud Volcano, just north of Fishing Bridge around 9:15 am local time on Friday. The 12-year-old victim was swiftly taken to a nearby hospital by paramedics, as reported by Yellowstone National Park. The extent of the child’s injuries from the bison remains unclear, pending further investigation.
Yellowstone National Park is renowned for its bison population, estimated to be between 4,000 and 6,000 individuals split into the Northern and Central herds. Originally facing extinction, the bison were saved with the park becoming their sanctuary in the late 1800s.
Park officials caution visitors about the potential dangers of wildlife in Yellowstone, particularly bison, which can turn aggressive if their space is not respected. Bison have been responsible for more injuries to people in the park than any other animal, with incidents reported of individuals being gored after getting too close to the animals.
Aside from bison, Yellowstone is home to various other wildlife species such as elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes, with visitors advised to maintain a minimum distance of 25 yards at all times. For bears, wolves, and cougars, a distance of at least 100 yards is recommended by the park authorities.
Visitors are urged to keep their distance from wildlife and never attempt to approach, touch, feed, or crowd them, even if the animals seem calm. Yellowstone National Park emphasizes the importance of respecting wildlife to ensure the safety of both visitors and the animals.
