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Published 20:05 12 Jul 2026 GMT
A terrifying encounter at Yellowstone National Park has left a tourist seriously injured after a massive bull bison charged at him before launching him several feet into the air.
The shocking incident unfolded at the Bridge Bay Campground on Friday and was captured on camera by photographer Mike MacLeod, who was camping nearby when the drama erupted.
Video of the attack shows the unidentified man walking through the campground with his grandson as the bison, which had moments earlier been rolling in the dirt, suddenly turned aggressive.
The pair attempted to get away by moving behind a group of trees, but the animal pursued them.
The grandson managed to escape, while the older man was chased around the trees before the bison caught up with him.
Witnesses said the bull hooked the man with one of its horns before tossing him roughly eight feet into the air. He landed heavily on the ground and suffered what have been described as significant injuries.
MacLeod, who filmed the attack, said he feared the bison was about to gore the injured man as it stood over him after the attack.
"I had to get the bison's attention," he told Cowboy State Daily, explaining that he stopped filming, ran toward the animal and shouted in an effort to distract it.
Other bystanders joined him, eventually forcing the bison to retreat before emergency responders arrived.
After the danger had passed, witnesses rushed to help the injured tourist.
According to MacLeod, the man complained of severe pain in his hip and leg, although those assisting him could not immediately see any external injuries.
His grandson later said his grandfather had suffered serious injuries and remained "not out of the woods."
The reason for the attack is not yet known, but MacLeod believes the bull's behavior was linked to Yellowstone's annual bison rut, which takes place between June and September.
During that period, male bison become significantly more aggressive as they compete for mates.
The photographer said the animal had already charged at a group of children earlier in the evening and appeared to be "charging anything and everything" before the attack on the tourist.
Perhaps most surprising, witnesses said the victim and his grandson had been keeping what appeared to be a respectful distance from the animal.
MacLeod said the pair were simply out for an evening walk and happened to cross paths with an unusually agitated bull.
The National Park Service has not yet released details about the incident or provided an update on the tourist's condition.
The attack marks the second reported bison-related injury in Yellowstone this year.
Just weeks earlier, a 12-year-old visitor was injured near the park's Mud Volcano area, prompting renewed warnings from park officials about keeping a safe distance from wildlife.
Bison are responsible for more injuries to visitors in Yellowstone than any other large animal, and despite their calm appearance, they can run several times faster than humans and become unpredictable when they feel threatened.
