A bison gores a woman in Yellowstone
A bison gored a tourist at Yellowstone National Park on Monday after getting too close to the animal.
The bison threw the woman 10 feet in the air. She suffered a puncture wound and other injuries, according to the park.
Park doctors responded immediately and took her by ambulance to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.
The woman, 25, from Grove City, Oregon, had moved within 10 feet of the bison, the park said in a statement. Park regulations require people to stay more than 25 meters from bison.
The goring happened near a boardwalk at Black Sand Basin, just north of Oil Faithful. The woman was on the walk at the time.
The incident, the first gored this year, is still under investigation, the park said.
Bison injure more people in Yellowstone than any other animal, the park said.
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22 Animals To Look For In Yellowstone (And Your Chances Of Spotting Them)
rocky mountain elk
Probability of seeing: very high
Elk are the most common large mammal in the park, with up to 20,000 individuals from seven different herds at certain times of the year, and as such they are extremely easy to find.
Northwest Gray Wolf
Probability of seeing: Low
Wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone in 1995 using gray wolves from northwestern Canada. Previously, Northern Rocky Mountain wolves were native to the park, but were killed off in the mid-20th century. A debate over which wolf subspecies to use for reintroduction has erupted, with the larger Northwestern wolves being chosen over the Great Plains wolf native to eastern Canada and northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. Recorded numbers are around 100 wolves from 11 packs in the park, although numbers fluctuate from year to year.
american bison
Probability of seeing: very high
Bison are among the most common large mammals in the park. Although they look docile, they have been known to bloody people on occasion, so keep a safe distance.
grizzly
Probability of seeing: Moderate
There are up to 840 grizzlies in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem and about 150 live in the park, according to recent National Park Service figures. They are most commonly seen on Mount Washburn, in the Hayden and Lamar valleys, and near the eastern entrance to the park. Grizzlies, especially sows, can be dangerous, and park regulations require that you stay a football field away from bears when on foot.
Black bear
bighorn sheep
Probability of seeing: moderate
Bighorn sheep numbers are surprisingly low in Yellowstone, with most sightings occurring in the northern part of the park. They can be found along the Gardner River and in northern mountain passes.
Lynx
Probability of seeing: Low
Bobcats are common throughout the park, but due to their habits they are not frequently seen by visitors. They are most often spotted near rivers and in rocky areas.
Canada lynx
Probability of seeing: Low
Like its close relative the bobcat, the Canada lynx tends to live a solitary life. Numbers in Yellowstone are low and dependent on habitat migrations north of the park. They tend to stay at high elevations in coniferous forests. Lynx can be distinguished from bobcats by their longer ear tufts, black tails, and larger legs.
Coyote
Probability of seeing: moderate
Coyotes are found throughout the park, especially in open areas where they may feed or find small mammals to feed on. They can also be seen near roads, where they can then find road kills. They are significantly smaller than wolves.
moose shiras
Probability of seeing: moderate
Recent surveys put the number of moose in Yellowstone at around 200. They are most often spotted in areas of water, such as rivers, lakes, and marshes. Although not abundant, they are large and easy to spot.
mountain lion
Probability of seeing: Very low
Mountain lions, also called cougars, exist in very small numbers in Yellowstone. They are found almost exclusively in the northern part of the park and tend to stay in rocky areas or other places that provide adequate cover to stalk their prey. They can be extremely dangerous if encountered.
red fox
Probability of seeing: Low
Foxes often struggle to compete with coyotes, which seek out the same food sources and are much larger. As a result, they tend to stay in wooded areas. They will forage for food from a variety of sources, including visitor food. Foxes are most active at night but can be spotted during the day during the winter months.
North American beaver
Probability of seeing: moderate
Beavers play an important role in Yellowstone’s ecosystem, creating natural dams that divert streams and allow water to accumulate. Beavers are native to Yellowstone, with over 100 colonies present in the park. They are most easily spotted along tributaries of rivers, especially in the Mammoth area beaver ponds, Harlequin Lake, Bechler River and Slough Creek.
snowshoe hare
Probability of seeing: moderate
Snowshoe hares are common in the park and have seasonal fur coats, turning white in winter. They are frequently found in wooded areas, where they may shelter under low limbs and fallen branches. They can be found most easily in the Norris Geyser Basin.
white-tailed hare
Probability of seeing: moderate
White-tailed hares are common at lower elevations in the park. They are larger than rabbits, with proportionately larger ears and feet. Hares tend to stay in grasslands, where they feed on grass and shrubs. They are more common in the northern plateau regions of the park.
jackalope
Probability of seeing: Extremely low
The jackalope is perhaps Yellowstone’s rarest animal. They are solitary, staying mostly in wooded areas, where they stalk their prey. Jackalopes are extremely dangerous and should not be approached if seen.
North American porcupine
Probability of seeing: moderate
Porcupines can be spotted in many areas of the park. They prefer forests, where they feed on twigs, berries, bark and needles. Porcupines often climb trees to feed, so they can be found above ground.
Bald Eagle
Probability of seeing: moderate
Bald eagles can be found in the park year-round. They are most often found near rivers and lakes, where they find fish to feed on and like to nest in sturdy trees. They are also known to prey on other birds.
golden eagle
Probability of seeing: Low
Although golden eagles are known to nest in the park, there are very few documented sightings in recent years. Golden eagles are larger than bald eagles and feed on rodents, rabbits and hares.
Great horned owl
Probability of seeing: moderate
Great horned owls are surprisingly common in Yellowstone. Owls can grow over two feet tall and can have a wingspan of up to five feet. Despite their large size, it can sometimes be easy to miss them, as they are often well camouflaged and can stand still. Look for horned owls in forest areas.
trumpeter swan
Probability of seeing: moderate (higher in winter)
Trumpeter Swans are found near the western entrance to the Seven Mile Bridge and on Swan Lake, south of Mammoth Hot Springs. They can also be found on portions of the Yellowstone and Madison rivers. They are more common in winter, when migrating from Canada.
sandhill crane
Probability of seeing: moderate
Sandhill cranes are common in the wetlands and marshy areas of the park. They are seen more often during the warmer months, as most migrate south for the winter. Sandhill cranes are most commonly seen in the Fountain Flats and Bechler areas of the park.
