A bison in Yellowstone National Park charged and tossed a man into the air on July 10, 2026 [3].
The incident highlights the extreme danger posed by wildlife during peak behavioral cycles, serving as a warning to visitors during the park's busiest seasons.
Carl McDaniel was near the Bridge Bay Campground when the animal attacked [4]. According to reports, the bison did not appear aggressive until it singled out McDaniel as a target [5]. The force of the charge launched him approximately eight feet into the air [2].
McDaniel suffered four broken bones as a result of the impact [1]. He said the speed of the animal was a primary factor in the suddenness of the attack.
"They move faster than you could ever imagine," McDaniel said.
While the animal's initial behavior seemed calm, experts linked the aggression to the park's peak mating season [5]. The sudden shift in temperament is common for bison during this period, making them more prone to charging humans who enter their space.
McDaniel spoke about the trauma of the fall while recovering from his injuries. He said that the initial charge was shocking, but the landing was the most painful part of the ordeal.
"The worst part was hitting the ground," McDaniel said.
Despite the severity of the injuries, McDaniel expressed a sense of randomness regarding why he was attacked. He said that he was simply unlucky the huge animal decided to pick him as its "target" [6].
“"They move faster than you could ever imagine."”
This incident underscores the volatility of wildlife during mating seasons, where animals that appear docile can become aggressive without warning. It reinforces the necessity of maintaining strict distance from bison, as their size and speed can cause catastrophic injuries even in non-predatory attacks.
