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Yellowstone National Park has reiterated its safety protocols after a 16-year-old Taiwanese exchange student was gored by a bison, as announced in a park news release.
According to the release, around noon on Friday, the individual and her host family were in the the Upper Geyser Basin hiking near Old Faithful. While there, they joined a group watching a grazing bison. They ended up between three and six feet from the animal, and when the girl turned her back on it for a photo, the bison lifted up its head, took a few steps, and gored her.
Even as rangers responded to get the teen assistance, the group was still less than 10 feet from the bison. Once moved to a safe distance, the girl was taken to the Old Faithful Clinic for initial treatment, then transported by helicopter for further medical help. She is seriously injured, but is expected to survive.
As a safety reminder, the press release states that visitors must remain at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves, and at least 25 yards away from other large animals, including bison.
"Visitors are reminded that Yellowstone wildlife is wild," the release reminds us. "Wildlife should not be approached, no matter how tame or calm they appear." Additionally, "bison can sprint three times faster than humans can run and are unpredictable and dangerous."
In Yellowstone's general safety information they reveal there have been fatalities from bison gorings in the park's history.
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