In a harrowing wildlife encounter that underscores the raw power of nature in America’s oldest national park, a 65-year-old tourist from Washington state was hospitalized with multiple broken bones after a mᴀssive bull bison charged him and flipped him into the air at Yellowstone National Park. The dramatic incident, which occurred on the evening of Friday, July 10, 2026, has served as a stark reminder for visitors about the importance of maintaining safe distances from wild animals, particularly during the bison’s breeding season.

The attack took place at approximately 8:30 p.m. at Bridge Bay Campground, located near Yellowstone Lake in the southeastern section of the park in Wyoming. The victim, Carl Isom-McDaniel — a respected community leader who serves on several local boards and commissions in Whatcom County, Washington — was visiting the park with his grandson. According to eyewitness accounts, the pair had stopped their pickup truck to take pH๏τographs of the bison from what they believed was a respectful distance.

Professional pH๏τographer Mike MacLeod, based in Bozeman, Montana, captured the entire sequence on video while documenting the scene. MacLeod, a former combat pH๏τographer with a background in wildlife biology, described the bull bison as visibly agitated, likely due to a surge in testosterone as the mating (rutting) season was just beginning. The animal had already been roaming the busy campground, charging at groups of campers including a small cluster of teenage boys who quickly scattered.

The bison was seen wallowing in the dirt near a picnic table still holding dinner leftovers. When it rose, it displayed highly aggressive behavior, kicking and bucking like a rodeo horse. Moments later, as Mr. Isom-McDaniel and his grandson attempted to leave after taking pH๏τos, the bison targeted their direction. It chased them around a cluster of pine trees. While the grandson managed to escape, the bison caught up to the grandfather, hooking him with its left horn near the hip and tossing him roughly eight feet into the air.

MacLeod recounted the tense moments that followed: “I knew he was in danger because the bison didn’t leave. He stood right over Carl, and he was really, really angry. His head’s pumping up and down and he displayed all that aggressive behavior.” Acting quickly, MacLeod set down his camera and charged toward the animal, yelling loudly, pumping his arms, and jumping to appear larger and more threatening. Other campers joined in, creating enough distraction for the bison to turn and flee.

Mr. Isom-McDaniel, despite suffering significant pain from his injuries (including a femur reported in updates as fractured in multiple places), remained conscious throughout the ordeal. Fellow campers provided immediate aid until park emergency medical personnel arrived within about 10 minutes. According to MacLeod, the victim was “in good spirits, joking” even while waiting for transport to a nearby hospital. Park officials confirmed the response but have not released further medical details. Recent updates from mid-July indicate that Mr. Isom-McDaniel underwent surgery and is on track for a full recovery, with his grandson remaining unharmed thanks to his grandfather’s protective actions.

Bison in Yellowstone are iconic but formidable creatures. Adults can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and reach speeds of 30 miles per hour despite their mᴀssive size. Park regulations strictly require visitors to stay at least 25 yards (approximately 75 feet) away from bison at all times. This incident coincides with the peak of summer tourism season, when large numbers of visitors, RVs, and tents fill campgrounds like Bridge Bay, increasing the potential for close encounters.

PH๏τographer MacLeod noted that while the victims in this case maintained a respectful distance, he observed numerous other instances during his visit where people approached much closer and even acted aggressively toward wildlife — situations he described as far more dangerous. Yellowstone officials continue to emphasize education and enforcement of safety rules to prevent such attacks.

This event adds to a history of occasional bison-human conflicts in the park, often occurring when animals feel threatened or during hormonal peaks in the mating season. It highlights the delicate balance between wildlife conservation and public access in one of the world’s most famous natural wonders.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/12/us/yellowstone-bison-injures-tourist.html