Man GORED by 2,000-pound bison in Yellowstone National Park

Publish date: 2024-04-10

Man's terror as he is GORED by 2,000-pound bison that throws him 10 feet into the air and then pins him to the ground

By Beth Stebner

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A man spending time in the wilds of Yellowstone National Park was gored by a full-grown bull bison that threw him 10 feet in the air and then pinned him to the ground.

The man, who is in his mid-50s and from Massachusetts, suffered a broken collarbone, shoulder blade, several ribs and a groin injury in Saturday's encounter near the Norris campground. 

But remarkably, he is expected to not only survive, but recover from his injuries.

Bully: An unnamed man from Massachusetts was gored and thrown 10ft in the air by a bull bison (file photo)

Bully: An unnamed man from Massachusetts was gored and thrown 10ft in the air by a bull bison (file photo)

He ain't heavy: A full-grown bull bison can weigh upwards of 2,000 pounds

He ain't heavy: A full-grown bull bison can weigh upwards of 2,000 pounds (stock photo)

In nature: The man was passing time near Norris campground in Yellowstone National Park

Nature calls: The man was passing time near Norris campground in Yellowstone National Park

Caution: Signs around the park warn visitors of bison's erratic behaviour

Caution: Signs around the park warn visitors of bison's erratic behaviour

The man, whose name was not released pending notification of family members, was airlifted to an Idaho Falls, Idaho hospital after the attack.

Park officials say the man was not taunting the animal, but let the bull approach within a few feet of where he was sitting.

According to Yellowstone Gate, the man simply refused to move away as the 2,000-pound animal approached. 

Park rules require visitors to stay at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves and at least 25 yards away from all other animals.

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If an animal approaches, it is the visitor's responsibility to move a safe distance away.

A full-grown bison can run at speeds up to 40mph in small stints, and can run at 30 for much longer distances.

According to the Nature Conservancy, bison are the largest land mammals in North America, and have a natural life span of 10-15 years, though some may reach 25.

In the 19th century, the animals were nearly hunted to extinction, and made a miraculous rebound in part because of conservationists Theodore Roosevelt and William Hornday.

There are around 500,000 of the colossal grazers in North America today, up from only 100 free-roaming bison around 1905.

A thing of beauty: Yellowstone is one of the most-visited in the national park system, with nearly 4million visitors in 2011 alone; here, the Teton mountains are seen by a lake

A thing of beauty: Yellowstone is one of the most-visited in the national park system, with nearly 4million visitors in 2011 alone; here, the Teton mountains are seen by a lake

Yellowstone National Park is one of the most-visited in the national park system, with nearly 4million visitors in 2011 alone.

The country’s first national park was established by Congress and signed into law by then-president Ulysses S. Grand in 1872.

The 3,400-square mile park is home to a host of indigenous animal species, including large herds of bison.

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