Tourist Pinned to the Ground by Angry Bison in Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and rich diversity of wildlife spanning over 2.2 million acres, has become a site where deviant visitors learn why they should keep their distance from wild animals.

Knewz.com is reporting that a tourist recently experienced the consequences of ignoring the park’s safety rules and as a result, was pinned to the ground by an angry bison.

The disturbing image made it to TouronsOfYellowstone‘s Instagram account and captured an individual being pinned to the ground by a wild bison. 

The photo showed the unlucky male lying on his left side beneath the massive head of the obviously enraged four-legged animal.

While the individual’s pitiful plight was obvious, social media‘s reactions to the image were filled with criticism and disdain for the tourist’s purportedly reckless behavior. 

“What an idiot. Got what he was asking for up close and personal,” one user commented. Another remarked, “Another moron! Can’t read and won’t follow the rules!”

“What does it take for people to respect animals? They blame the animal. Who raised these people?” asked another obviously exasperated netizen.

According to the National Park Service‘s website, bison pose the greatest threat to visitors in terms of animal-related injuries. 

As such the park advises visitors to maintain a minimum distance of 75 feet from these animals as they can run three times faster than humans.

Had the ill-fated tourist heeded the park’s advice, they might have recognized the warning signs exhibited by the bison. 

Such signs include lowering their head, pawing the ground, bellowing, or snorting indicating that a charge is imminent. The position of the bison’s tail can also be indicative of its mood – a tail hanging down naturally suggests calm, while a raised tail suggests an impending charge.

However, due to the unpredictable nature of bison behavior, it is always essential to keep a safe distance. In the event of a dangerous encounter, the National Park Service recommends staying calm and immediately walking or running away from the animal. 

“Do not stand your ground,” the National Park Service website advises visitors in the event that they find themselves on the wrong side of the angry beast. “Immediately walk or run away from the animal. Spray bear spray as you are moving away if the animal follows you.

Bison are the largest land mammal in North America, with an adult male weighing around 2,000 pounds, per the US Department of the Interior. 

These magnificent animals have inhabited Yellowstone since prehistoric times making it natural that they would protect their territory from unwelcomed intruders. 

Notably, the bison is not the only creature with a deceptively cuddly appearance. The federally protected territory is also home to other wild animals such as elk, bears, and wolves.

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