A tourist was reportedly seriously injured after a bull bison charged and tossed him several feet into the air at a campground inside Yellowstone National Park, with the frightening encounter captured on video by a nearby photographer.
The incident occurred Friday evening at Bridge Bay Campground, south of Fishing Bridge in Wyoming. Witness Mike MacLeod said the man was walking through the campground with his grandson when the bison pursued him around a group of trees, hooked him near the hip with one of its horns and threw him into the air.
MacLeod estimated that the tourist rose approximately eight feet before landing on his side. The exact height cannot be independently confirmed from the available reporting, and the National Park Service had not released an official account of the incident or a medical update on the victim as of Sunday.
According to MacLeod, the large bull had already moved aggressively through the campground and charged toward several people before turning its attention to the man and his grandson.
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The witness said the pair initially observed the animal from a distance and moved behind trees after it stood up. A passing pickup truck reportedly drew the bison’s attention briefly, but the animal then returned toward the two tourists.
The grandson managed to move away, while the older man attempted to avoid the bison by circling trees. Video of the encounter shows the animal catching up with him and throwing him forcefully into the air.
MacLeod stopped recording after the man fell because he feared the bison might continue attacking him. He and other people in the campground reportedly shouted and moved toward the animal to distract it, eventually causing it to leave the immediate area.
The man’s grandson later told the photographer that his grandfather had suffered significant injuries. No official information has been released concerning his identity, current condition or the hospital where he may have received treatment.
Yellowstone officials repeatedly warn that bison can appear calm while remaining unpredictable and dangerous. The animals have injured more park visitors than any other species in Yellowstone and can run approximately three times faster than a person.
Adult male bison can weigh as much as 2,000 pounds, stand about six feet tall and reach speeds of approximately 30 miles per hour. Their size does not prevent them from turning quickly or moving through wooded and developed areas.
Park regulations require visitors to remain at least 25 yards, or 23 meters, away from bison and most other large wildlife. People must stay at least 100 yards away from bears, wolves and cougars. When an animal approaches and reduces that distance, visitors are instructed to back away or change direction rather than remain nearby to take photographs.
MacLeod said the injured man appeared to have maintained a reasonable distance before the bison moved toward him. That detail has not been independently confirmed by park investigators, but the account highlights a challenge for visitors when an unpredictable animal enters a campground rather than being approached in an open field.
Yellowstone’s developed areas are still wildlife habitat. Tents, roads, vehicles and occupied campsites do not create a barrier preventing bison from moving through them. Visitors may therefore need to abandon equipment, enter a vehicle or move farther away when a large animal approaches, even when doing so disrupts their plans.
The encounter also occurred close to the bison breeding season. Yellowstone says mating generally takes place from late July through August, when mature bulls may wallow, bellow and compete for females. The National Park Service has previously warned that bison can become agitated more quickly during the rut and should be given additional space.
Friday’s incident follows another officially confirmed bison encounter in Yellowstone on June 26. A 12-year-old visitor was injured near Mud Volcano and transported to a hospital. That case remained under investigation when the park released its initial statement.
Why It Matters
The video demonstrates that keeping an initial safe distance does not guarantee that an encounter will remain safe if a wild animal begins moving toward people. Bison can rapidly close a large gap, and trees or campsite equipment may offer little protection against an animal weighing close to a ton.
The incident is also an important warning for families visiting Yellowstone during the busy summer and mating seasons. Wildlife should be viewed from inside a vehicle or with binoculars and zoom lenses whenever possible.
What Comes Next
Yellowstone officials may release additional information after reviewing the incident, including the tourist’s condition and whether visitor behavior contributed to the encounter.
Park staff are also expected to continue emphasizing wildlife-distance requirements as summer crowds and bison activity increase. Visitors should immediately move away when bison enter campgrounds, roads or other developed areas rather than waiting to see how the animal behaves.
Video shows the moment a bull bison charged and tossed a tourist at a Yellowstone campground.
A tourist was seriously injured after a bison tossed them about 8 feet into the air in Yellowstone National Park. The attack was captured on video by photographer Mike Macleod. pic.twitter.com/ZtGTb32Gee
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) July 12, 2026
