What went wrong in Yellowstone bison attack? Utah wildlife expert explains
Jul 14, 2026, 9:31 AM
SYRACUSE — A 65-year-old man from Washington state was taken to a hospital after a bison attacked him Friday night at Yellowstone National Park’s Bridge Bay Campground, according to park officials.
Video of the incident has circulated widely online, prompting debate about whether the man was too close to the animal.
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Wildlife experts in Utah said the encounter underscores how quickly bison behavior can escalate, especially during rutting, or breeding season.
“This is the time of year that they’re breeding, so the males are really hopped up on hormones and they’re really excited and agitated,” said Ben Morris, a wildlife biologist at Antelope Island State Park.
They can run up to 40 mph. We only run about 10 miles an hour, or so.” Ben Morris, wildlife biologist
Morris, who regularly works around free-roaming bison on Antelope Island, said the Yellowstone bison appeared agitated before the attack occurred. He was rolling around in the dirt, getting up and down.
“In this case, he’s yelling, ‘I’m mad. I’m upset. I’m not feeling good. You guys are all around me,'” Morris said while reviewing video of the encounter.
Another video taken minutes before the attack shows the bison charging through the busy campground.
“They can run up to 40 mph,” he said. “We only run about ten miles an hour, so you can understand you’re only getting one-fourth the distance of travel that that animal does before he’s on top of you.”
If they lower their head and look at you, they’re not asking to be petted.” Ben Morris, wildlife biologist
Moments later, the animal chased the man and caught up to him.
“He catches sight of that individual, and since he is somewhat close, closer than we recommend, he is on that individual very quickly,” he said. “The individual did incredibly well trying to avoid the bison.”
Yellowstone recommends people stay 25 yards away from bison, while Antelope Island officials prefer a 100-yard distance. They live by the thumb rule.
“If you do get out of your car, don’t get any closer than the width of the animal that stays within your thumb,” Morris said. “Look at the animal. Make sure it stays in between the sides of your thumb. That’s about 100 yards.”
Video shows the man being launched about 8 feet into the air before landing on the ground.
Yellowstone park officials told KSL he was taken to a hospital. No further details were given.
Morris said if someone is knocked down during a wildlife encounter, they should hold still.
If they start throwing dirt behind their shoulder and stomping their feet, that may be the last thing you see for a very long time until you wake up in the hospital with a very large medical bill,” Ben Morris, wildlife biologist.
“If you were the person that was knocked down, you want to get down and stay down and hold still,” he said.
The close call mirrors encounters wildlife officials have seen in Utah. Morris said park staff recently observed a visitor with a small child within 10 feet of a cow bison and her calf on Antelope Island. He said they were quickly escorted away from the animal by park officials.
Despite the risks, summer remains one of the best times to observe bison behavior, Morris said.
“Bulls are hitting each other, fighting. They’re chasing cows. The bulls are bellowing,” he said.
Still, wildlife experts urge visitors to enjoy the spectacle from a safe distance. He said bison give warning signs.
“If they lower their head and look at you, they’re not asking to be petted,” he said. “They’re showing you their horns and showing that they have them and they know how to use them.”
Morris said those who view the animals from outside their cars should stay inside the silhouette of their vehicle. Outside of it, the animals will detect there’s a person there and may target them.
“If they start throwing dirt behind their shoulder and stomping their feet, that may be the last thing you see for a very long time until you wake up in the hospital with a very large medical bill,” Morris said.
