On Tuesday, news organizations were notified by Yellowstone National Park Service officials that a bison had attacked a woman on her right side near the Fairy Falls trailhead in Yellowstone National Park. The woman is the fifth victim of bison attacks in Yellowstone this year, all of which were reported as a result of photo-taking activities. “They heard the bison’s footsteps moving toward them and started to run, but the bison caught the mother on the right side, lifted her up and tossed her with its head,” the park service said in a statement Wednesday. The 43 year old woman was driven to a nearby clinic and was released with minor injuries, however park officials say she was lucky to not be more severely hurt. The woman attempted to take a picture with her daughter in front of the bison, which was less than six yards away.
Yellowstone Park officials clarify that signage is clearly posted and visible warning visitors to not get too close to bison, as they are wild animals and are known to attack. Ingoring the signs has lead to several injuries this year.