Bison Throws Grandfather 8 Feet in Air at Yellowstone After Photo Stop
On Friday night at Yellowstone National Park's Bridge Bay Campground, Carl McDaniel, a community leader from Washington state, was hurled eight feet into the air by a bison near Yellowstone Lake. The incident unfolded as McDaniel and his grandson paused to take photos with their smartphones. Mike MacLeod, a photographer from Bozeman, Montana, recorded the event and informed The New York Times that the bison appeared agitated, having already charged at some teenagers. MacLeod suggested the bison might have been affected by a surge of testosterone due to the upcoming mating season. Following the attack, the bison stomped nearby, prompting MacLeod and others to wave their arms and shout, ultimately scaring it off. McDaniel sustained multiple broken bones but remained alert and communicative. MacLeod found the attack "really weird," especially considering the presence of many bystanders. This incident recalls a similar occurrence in 2024 when a Florida man approached a bison and was gored.
Key facts
- Carl McDaniel was thrown 8 feet into the air by a bison.
- Incident occurred at Bridge Bay Campground near Yellowstone Lake on Friday night.
- McDaniel and his grandson stopped to take smartphone photos before the attack.
- Photographer Mike MacLeod filmed the event.
- The bison had already charged at a group of teenagers prior.
- Mating season may have caused a testosterone surge in the bison.
- McDaniel suffered several broken bones.
- MacLeod and others scared the bison away by yelling and waving arms.
Entities
Artists
- Mike MacLeod
Institutions
- Yellowstone National Park
- The New York Times
- Cowboy State Daily
- PetaPixel
Locations
- Bridge Bay Campground
- Yellowstone Lake
- Yellowstone National Park
- Bozeman
- Montana
- Washington state