The department noted that the bison appeared to be “protecting its territory.”
An 83-year-old woman suffered “severe injuries” after being gored by a wild bison in Yellowstone National Park, authorities said Monday.
The woman, from Greenville, South Carolina, was visiting the park on June 1 when the bison came within a few feet of her and lifted her about a foot off the ground with its antlers, according to a statement from the National Park Service.
The agency noted that the bison appeared to be “protecting its territory” at the time of the incident.
Park emergency personnel transported the woman to Lake Medical Clinic, where she was flown by helicopter to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.
Authorities said the woman suffered “serious injuries” in the incident but did not provide details about her current condition.
According to the National Park Service, the incident happened near Storm Point Trail on Yellowstone Lake.
The National Park Service advised people visiting the area to “move away if wild animals approach”, adding that it is visitors’ responsibility to “respect safety regulations and observe wildlife from a safe distance”.
Officials said people should stay at least 25 yards away from all large animals, including bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose and coyotes, and 100 yards from bears and wolves.
The National Park Service said bison injure more people in the park than any other animal, noting that the animals are “unpredictable” and can run three times as fast as humans.
“Bison are not aggressive animals but will defend their territory if threatened,” officials said.
