Bison rams grandfather in Yellowstone Park, knocking him metres into the air
The man and his grandson appeared a safe distance away from the bison before it quickly chased them down.
Bison Charges Grandfather in Yellowstone Park, Launching Him into the Air
A bull bison, estimated to weigh around 2,000 pounds (900 kg), charged at an elderly man, propelling him into the air in Wyoming's Yellowstone National Park.
Viral video footage captures a boy and his grandfather taking a photo of the bison as it rests in the grass, before the large animal suddenly stands up and pursues them.
The man, identified by U.S. media as 65-year-old Carl Isom-McDaniel, suffered multiple injuries and was reported by witnesses to be "in a lot of pain." He was transported to a hospital, as noted by the New York Times. The National Park Service (NPS) has not provided any details regarding the incident.
The BBC has reached out to the NPS for a statement.
"Bison may seem calm, but these large creatures have caused more injuries to people in Yellowstone than any other animal," the NPS states on its website.
"They can run three times faster than humans, making it crucial to maintain a safe distance."
The NPS recommends that visitors to Yellowstone keep at least 25 yards (23 meters) away from bison at all times and advises against approaching them for photographs.
The event took place on Friday evening at Bridge Bay Campground near Yellowstone Lake, just before sunset.
Isom-McDaniel and his grandson were a considerable distance from the bison when they paused to take a picture. The bison then began to thrash on its side in agitation before leaping to its feet.
A white truck slowly approached the area, but after the bison charged at it, the driver quickly left the scene. The bison continued forward, kicking up dust as it charged toward Isom-McDaniel and his grandson.
The duo attempted to escape by running through a cluster of trees, but the bison ultimately caught up with Isom-McDaniel.
"The bison hooked him with its left horn on his hip and tossed him into the air," Mike Macleod, who filmed the incident, told the Cowboy State Daily, a local publication. "He did a perfect flip and landed on his side."
Macleod added: "He was in a lot of pain with his leg, but he remained conscious the entire time, in good spirits, and even joking."
According to the NPS, summer is the peak season for Yellowstone, with nearly 60% of annual visitors coming during June, July, and August.
July coincides with the bison's mating season, which is the "peak breeding" time when testosterone levels in bulls are elevated, explained Jennifer Barfield, the scientific lead at Colorado's Laramie Foothills Bison Conservation Herd.
"This will significantly influence their behavior, making them potentially more unpredictable than at other times of the year," said the Colorado State University professor.
Barfield noted that her team avoids close encounters with bison during mating season, except when observing from the safety of a vehicle.
For those on foot, she advised: "It's always wise to remember that 25 yards is the minimum safe distance."