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A Yellowstone tourist who was launched into the air by a charging bison is finally sharing his side of the story. And says he’s lucky to be alive.
According to the TODAY show, 65-year-old Carl McDaniel is recovering after suffering a broken femur in four places when a massive bison attacked him last week in Yellowstone National Park. The frightening encounter, caught on video, quickly went viral.
McDaniel told CNN he and his grandson were about 100 yards from the animal, taking a few photos before continuing on their way. Wildlife photographer Mike McLeod, who filmed the incident, said the pair appeared to be doing everything right and backed away as soon as the bison showed signs of agitation.
Then everything changed.
McDaniel said a passing truck honked its horn, apparently trying to move the bison. Instead, the noise appeared to agitate the animal, which suddenly charged toward them.
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With only seconds to react, McDaniel told his grandson to run one direction while he ran another, hoping to draw the bison away. The animal caught him.
The bison chased McDaniel through a wooded area before tossing him high into the air, leaving him unable to move on the ground. What happened next may have saved his life.
McDaniel said the bison stood over him and could have stomped or gored him but didn’t. Photographer Mike McLeod immediately stopped filming and, along with several Good Samaritans, rushed in shouting to distract the animal until it finally backed away.
McDaniel underwent surgery and has begun physical therapy. He told CNN he’s thankful for everyone who came to his aid and grateful the encounter wasn’t even worse.
Yellowstone officials remind visitors to stay at least 25 yards away from bison and other large herbivores and 100 yards from bears and wolves. Bison may appear calm, but they can sprint up to 35 mph and are responsible for more injuries in Yellowstone than any other large animal.
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I thought the man was attacked in a designated campground? Not that he got out of his car but was walking around the campground. I visited TR National Park in Medora, ND this spring. One of the campgrounds there had bison roaming through it. All the hiking trails in the park are open to free ranging bison, elk, or whatever wildlife inhabits. We had stayed at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel in the past. Had to wait in the shuttle van until either elk or bison moved away from the front door so we could walk in and register. That’s the way in national parks. No fences.
hotel in Yellowstone NP years ago. We had to wait in our shuttle van for a minute until elk had moved from the entry door to the side for us to enter the hotel.
Just ran across a 6 yearold video on yootoob, but dident watch it, a 9 yro girl being tossed like that, was that the same bull? Is that why they decuded to put him down?
There’s nothing I enjoy seeing more than a human getting the snot kicked out of them by wildlife lol. It’s usually a 99% fault on behalf of the human so they usually get what they deserve.
I read another article where they decided not to put the bison down. Why would you? It’s a wild animal. How stupid it was to even consider it. Even though he “did everything right”, he was still around a VERY dangerous animal in the breeding season out of his car. Maybe it’s time to pass new rules about getting out of your car in Yellowstone.
proves the importance of being able to run faster than the person next to you!