Yellowstone National Park is officially open. Bison are dropping calves and the first injury suffered by a tourist in an encounter with a buffalo occurred on Tuesday.
A 72-year-old woman from Boise was butted in the thigh and tossed off a trail in the Old Faithful area, said a YNP news release.
The woman did not see the animal as she rounded a bend in a trail. She was taken by surprise and was not able to move before she was struck by the bison. Rangers responded to the incident and treated what the release described as minor injuries. The woman was taken to Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg.
The release said this is the first case of a bison injuring a park visitor in 2018. Although in this case no citations were issued, park officials are reminding the public to keep in mind the animals of Yellowstone are wild despite how calm they may appear. Bears and wolves should be given at least 100 yards of space at all times and all other animals should be given at least 25 yards.
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