A shocking incident at Yellowstone National Park sends a strong message to tourists: the rules are not just suggestions, they are meant to be followed.
A bison gored a New Jersey man after visitors failed to maintain the required safe distance from wildlife.
The 30-year-old is just the latest victim of increasingly frequent attacks at America’s most iconic national park, where federal regulations designed to protect both animals and humans are routinely ignored.
The attack occurred this week around 9:45 a.m. in the Old Faithful area of Yellowstone.
Park officials reported the man suffered minor injuries after the bison charged. He received immediate medical treatment following the incident.
This marks the second bison goring at Yellowstone this spring. On May 7, a 47-year-old Florida man was attacked in the Lake Village area of the park.
The pattern of injuries continues despite clear park regulations requiring visitors to stay at least 25 yards away from bison and other large herbivores.
Bison gores New Jersey man who got too close at Yellowstone, officials say https://t.co/xDkz2OOjvs
— NBC New York (@NBCNewYork) June 11, 2025
Yellowstone’s approximately 5,400 bison are massive creatures weighing up to 2,000 pounds and capable of running at speeds of 35 mph – three times faster than the average human.
Despite their seemingly docile appearance, these animals are wild, unpredictable, and responsible for more visitor injuries than any other animal in the park.
The increasing frequency of these incidents raises questions about whether federal park management is doing enough to protect visitors while respecting Americans’ right to experience their natural heritage.
While park regulations exist, enforcement appears insufficient as visitors continue to approach dangerous wildlife despite warnings.
Moreover, multiple bison goring incidents were reported in both 2022 and 2023, suggesting a troubling trend.
In 2024, an 83-year-old woman from South Carolina was also gored, highlighting that these powerful animals pose a threat to visitors of all ages.
Yellowstone’s rules require visitors to stay at least 25 yards away from bison and other large herbivores, while even stricter 100-yard distances are mandated for wolves and bears.
Bison have inhabited Yellowstone since prehistoric times and are North America’s largest land-dwelling mammals.
Their conservation represents one of America’s greatest wildlife success stories, especially since they were nearly hunted to extinction in the late 1800s.
However, today, their increasing numbers and habituation to humans create new challenges for park management.
These confrontations point to a broader issue of respect for wildlife and the habitats they inhabit.
National parks stand as a testament to America’s natural beauty, yet they also serve as a reminder of the responsibility to safeguard these lands and their inhabitants.
