Video published by a professional photographer shows a Yellowstone bison attack at Bridge Bay Campground, where a bull bison flipped a man several feet into the air, according to witnesses.
The clip, taken Friday evening by photographer Mike MacLeod, circulated to local outlets and shows the animal moving through a busy campground area south of Fishing Bridge. Early accounts from people on scene describe a sudden encounter that left the visitor injured and required emergency medical response.
What happened in the Yellowstone bison attack at Bridge Bay Campground
According to witnesses, the man and his grandson were walking through Bridge Bay Campground when they rounded a corner and came into the bull bison’s path. Witnesses said the animal had been acting agitated earlier and had moved near a group of children, who scattered, according to those on scene.
Witnesses told reporters the pair stopped near a stand of trees and then moved behind trunks as the bison approached. For reasons described by witnesses, a pickup drove past, drawing the bison’s attention; the animal then turned and struck the man and his grandson’s area before making contact with the man.
Video and witness accounts
MacLeod’s video shows the bison charging through trees and catching the man on the left side. “The bison hooked him with his left horn on his hip and tossed him in the air,” MacLeod told a local outlet. He described the victim as flipping and landing on his side.
Multiple bystanders ran and yelled to distract the animal. MacLeod says he stopped recording and ran toward the bison to draw its attention away from the injured man. “I was really afraid he was going to gore the guy on the ground, so I stopped videotaping and ran at the bison, yelled loud, and was trying to be as big and intimidating as possible,” MacLeod told reporters, according to published accounts.
These details come from witness statements and recorded video; they have not been fully confirmed by park officials.
Yellowstone bison attack: injuries and response
Yellowstone EMS arrived on scene after witnesses said they scared the bison away and provided medical care for the injured man, according to initial reports. The man’s grandson told a witness the victim “has some pretty significant injuries and is not out of the woods yet,” a statement reported by those on scene and not an official medical assessment.
The National Park Service had not issued a formal public statement about the incident as of the latest reporting. Park staff typically investigate human-wildlife encounters to determine the full circumstances and any public safety implications.
Park rules and visitor safety
Yellowstone requires visitors to stay at least 25 yards (about 23 meters) away from bison and other large animals. The rule is intended to reduce the risk of dangerous, unpredictable behavior — especially during rut when mature males can be more aggressive.
Witnesses in this incident said many campground visitors kept their distance and warned others as the animal moved through the area. MacLeod said he did not see anyone intentionally approaching the bison for a photo, according to his on-scene account.
Actionable safety tips: keep at least 25 yards from bison, avoid placing yourself between a bison and its escape route, move away slowly if you spot signs of agitation, and seek shelter behind a vehicle or solid object if an animal charges. If you are injured or see a serious incident, call park authorities when it is safe to do so.
How close can visitors get to bison in Yellowstone?
Visitors must stay at least 25 yards away from bison. This minimum distance helps protect both people and wildlife from dangerous interactions.
What should you do if a bison charges?
If a bison charges, try to place a sturdy obstruction between you and the animal, move quickly to shelter behind a vehicle or other solid object, and avoid running across open ground if possible. Intervention by bystanders is risky and can escalate danger.
Was the victim approaching the animal or taking a photo?
According to witnesses, including photographer Mike MacLeod, the man and his grandson were not intentionally approaching the bison for a selfie. Those on scene reported people were warning others and keeping distance; those accounts have not been independently confirmed by park officials.
Context and next steps
Media reports described this as the second reported human-bison incident in Yellowstone so far in 2026. Earlier coverage said a 12-year-old was injured June 26 near Mud Volcano. The National Park Service’s official incident records were not immediately available to confirm the classification or complete details of prior incidents.
Park staff and Yellowstone EMS may release more information as they complete reviews. Officials typically investigate where the encounter occurred, interview witnesses, and determine whether park rules were followed before issuing an official account and any advisories for visitors.
Source attribution: Accounts and quotes from photographer Mike MacLeod (reported to local outlets), initial on-scene response by Yellowstone EMS, and reporting by Fox News informed this article. The National Park Service had not issued an official statement at the time of reporting. For the original report, see Fox News: foxnews.com. The timeline and some witness descriptions are based on on-scene statements and video; official confirmation will come from the National Park Service and local emergency responders as they publish findings.
