The Attack Caught on Camera
The entire ordeal was recorded by photographer Mike MacLeod, who happened to be camping in the vicinity when the event unfolded.
- The Setup: The footage captures the older man walking through the campgrounds alongside his young grandson when the bison suddenly displayed aggressive behavior.
- The Chase: Though both attempted to quickly move out of the animal’s path, the bull pursued them.
- The Impact: While the grandson managed to flee to safety, the older man was overtaken. Witnesses reported that the bison hooked the victim with its horn before throwing him approximately eight feet into the air.
A Heroic Intervention
Even after the violent toss, the bison lingered dangerously close to the fallen tourist, sparking fears of a secondary attack. Realizing the man was still in extreme danger, MacLeod took immediate action.
“I had to get the bison’s attention,” MacLeod later recalled to Cowboy State Daily (via VT). He stopped recording his video, ran toward the massive animal, and began shouting to distract it.
Other nearby campers quickly joined the effort, screaming and working together to successfully scare the bull away before emergency medical services arrived on the scene.
Injuries and Recovery Status
Once the animal retreated, bystanders rushed to administer first aid to the injured tourist.
- Immediate Assessment: Although there were no immediately visible external wounds, the victim reported excruciating pain in his leg and hip.
- Current Status: The grandson later provided an update, confirming that his grandfather sustained serious injuries from the encounter and was still “not out of the woods.”
What Triggered the Aggression?
While the precise cause of the charge remains unconfirmed, MacLeod noted that the aggression was highly likely tied to Yellowstone’s annual bison rut (mating season). During this time of year, male bulls compete fiercely for mates and become highly volatile.
Earlier that same evening, the very same bull had charged toward a group of children and appeared to be “charging anything and everything.” Importantly, MacLeod observed that the grandfather and grandson had been keeping a highly respectful distance from the wild animal prior to the unprovoked attack.
The National Park Service has yet to release an official update or further details regarding the incident.
