In shocking videos posted within the space of two weeks, two tourists came dangerously close to being stung by bison in Yellowstone National Park.
A video posted by TouronsOfYellowstone last Sunday and attributed to Russ Bjorn on Instagram shows a woman, who has not yet been identified, reaching out in an attempt to touch the bison.
In a split second the buffalo lunged forward, giving the impression that it was about to charge. The woman quickly retreated in panic, tripping over herself in the process. The fearful screams of the group can be heard in the background.
Another video posted Sunday shows a woman taking a selfie just inches away from a huge bison trying to rest on the ground.
“Seen at Biscuit Basin. She tried to pet it. It was insane. Like inches. Her arrogance was so irritating. People told her to leave and she kept posing for about 10 minutes,” the caption reads.
A woman came dangerously close to being gored by a bison when she tried to pet a bison in Yellowstone National Park
A video shows another woman taking a selfie just inches away from the massive beast in Yellowstone National Park
She luckily walked away from the risky incident unscathed as the wild beast did not react.
The surprise encounter, which was captured in video and shared on Instagram, shows a group of people strolling along a designated path in the park, just inches away from the massive bison.
The bison failed to pursue the woman who tried to pet it, leaving the group alone and unharmed after the initial fright.
It is illegal to “deliberately leave, approach and photograph wild animals within 100 yards” of Yellowstone.
Yellowstone National Park is home to the largest bison herd in the US, according to National Park Services (NPS). It is the only place in the country where the nearly extinct animal has lived continuously since prehistoric times.
Yellowstone is home to a significant bison population, ranging from 2,300 to 5,500. In the summer of 2022, about 5,900 bison were counted.
Wild bison conservation is one of Yellowstone’s most complex problems, according to the NPS.
NPS makes it clear to visitors online that these animals can become extremely aggressive if they feel threatened or too close.
Bison have caused more injuries in Yellowstone than any other animal. On average, one to two individuals are injured each year by bison in Yellowstone News Week.
To mitigate potential risks, the National Park Service strictly enforces an ordinance that requires all visitors to maintain a minimum distance of 80 feet from bison at all times.
These huge animals are the largest land-dwelling mammal in North America and can weigh up to 2,000 pounds. They have the power to effortlessly shake off grown adults “like rag dolls,” according to the NPS.
DailyMail Online has reached out to authorities and National Park Services for their official statement on the incident and whether legal action will be taken against the woman.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of following park guidelines and safety.
Just last week, rangerers in Yellowstone National Park were forced to euthanize a bison calf after it was grabbed by a man who believed he was saving it from drowning.
A man was pictured bringing up a buffalo calf from the bank of the Lamar River on May 20. It was later put down after the herd rejected it. Yellowstone National Park officials are now trying to identify the man
Pictured is an unrelated herd of bison stopping traffic in the Hayden Valley in September 2022
Park staff said they tried to reintroduce the animal to the herd, but human contact caused the bison to be rejected and abandoned, forcing them to kill it hours later.
In 2015, Yellowstone National Park officials released a graphic pamphlet drawing of a man being gored by bison in an attempt to evade tourists from the creatures.
Officials warned after last week’s incident that violating park rules requiring guests to stay at least 25 yards away from bison, elk and deer and at least 100 yards from bears and wolves could lead to fines.
NPS warns of the dangers of large wild animals: “Bison can run three times faster than humans can sprint and are unpredictable and dangerous.”
‘Visitors should give the animals enough space and adjust their own behavior to avoid interaction with an animal in their vicinity.’
“Don’t go near wildlife, no matter how tame or calm they seem. Always follow the instructions of the park staff on site.’
In 2021, a 25-year-old tourist from Yellowstone was jailed for four days after coming within a few feet of a grizzly bear and her cubs to take a picture.
In the summer of 2018, a man was also arrested who was videotaped trying to take on, harassing and taunting a bison in Yellowstone National Park.
Sometimes the animal attacks unsolicited.
Last summer in Yellowstone, three people were gored by bison in a series of just four weeks. A 71-year-old Pennsylvania woman was injured after the animal attacked her as she and her daughter were returning to their car at the trailhead.
In 2015, Yellowstone National Park officials released a graphic pamphlet drawing of a man being gored by bison in an attempt to evade the creatures from tourists.