A 2,000-pound bison bull charged a man at Yellowstone National Park, hurling him eight feet into the air and leaving him with serious injuries, including a broken hip. The attack occurred Friday at Bridge Bay Campground near Yellowstone Lake, where the victim, Carl McDaniel, was walking with his grandson.
Attack Caught on Camera
Professional photographer Mike MacLeod, a former Army photographer, was camping nearby and filmed the incident. The footage shows the bison initially frolicking on dusty ground before its attention turns to McDaniel and his grandson, who had stopped to take pictures. As a pick-up truck approached, the bison charged toward it, then redirected its focus to the pair. The boy managed to escape behind trees, but the bison pursued McDaniel, eventually catching him and tossing him about eight feet into the air with its horns. McDaniel landed near the animal, which continued tossing its head in agitation.
MacLeod told Cowboy State Daily that he feared the bison would gore the man on the ground. He and others scared the bull away, while bystanders called 911 and aided the victim. McDaniel was in significant pain, particularly in his hips and the leg he landed on, MacLeod said.
Victim's Background
Carl McDaniel, a community leader from Kendall, Washington, was described as a Good Samaritan who volunteers as a Santa Claus in his hometown, according to Cascadia Daily News. He had worked as a commissioner covering water and parks. MacLeod emphasized that McDaniel and his grandson were not to blame, as they had kept their distance from the bison.
Just before the attack, the bison had charged at other people, including a group of children taking pictures from a distance. MacLeod noted that the animal was agitated and charging at anything and everything.
Yellowstone Bison Herd
The Yellowstone bison herd is the only group in the United States that has roamed freely since prehistoric times. The herd numbers about 5,300 animals, and they can be seen year-round in the Hayden and Lamar valleys, grazing near footpaths. Bison were hunted to near extinction in the 1800s for their fur and meat, and by 1902 only about two dozen remained in Yellowstone before Army protection efforts. Male bulls can weigh up to 2,000 pounds, and females up to 1,000 pounds. Some Yellowstone bison live up to 20 years old.
