Bison Attacks Woman In Yellowstone Park

A woman tried to take a selfie with a bison in Yellowstone Park on Tuesday, and unfortunately paid the price.

Bison Attack In Yellowstone Park

A 43-year-old Mississippi woman tried to take a selfie with one of the park’s bison near a trail, and found herself being attacked by the animal.

The woman and her daughter turned their backs to the bison, to take a photo with it, according to the National Park Service.

“They heard the bison’s footsteps moving toward them and started to run, but the bison caught the mother on the right side, lifted her up and tossed her with its head,” the park service said in a statement.

The woman is the fifth person injured after coming close to a bison in Yellowstone so far this season — and the third whose attack resulted from attempting to capture a selfie. However, each victim has been able to sustain minor injuries.

Park authorities have made an effort to warn people not to get too close to the bison. “The family said they read the warnings in both the park literature and the signage, but saw other people close to the bison, so they thought it would be ok,” said Colleen Rawlings, a ranger in the park’s Old Faithful District.

“People need to recognize that Yellowstone wildlife is wild, even though they seem docile. This woman was lucky that her injuries were not more severe,” the ranger added.

Authorities tell visitors not to get within 25 yards of bison— and 100 yards away from bears and wolves.

“Bison can sprint three times faster than humans can run and are unpredictable and dangerous,” park officials told CNN.

The Mississippi woman’s family drove her from the Fairy Falls trail-head, to the Old Faithful Clinic in the park for treatment.