A close encounter at Yellowstone National Park took a frightening turn when a boy got too close to a Bison hanging near the boardwalk. The video shows the animal casually (thankfully) following the child as other visitors watch from a nearby boardwalk.
The incident happened on July 28, according to Philadelphia ABC affiliate WPVI. Visitor Brittany Peteler recorded the footage, which later went viral.
The brief “pursuit” (turning in the boy’s direction and walking slowly in his direction) ended without the bison making contact with the child, but thankfully no injuries were reported following the encounter.
Yellowstone requires visitors to remain at least 25 yards from bison and other large animals. Park officials warn that the animals may appear calm but can become aggressive when people enter their space.
Luckily for the boy, the bison did not become aggressive and appears to only be curious. While many variations promoting this video talk about the bison “chasing” the boy, the truth is that the bison stayed quite calm. It could’ve ended much worse.
Witnesses Watched the Group Approach
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The video shared by ABC News begins with a woman walking past a bison standing beside a boardwalk. She stands on the other side while several witnesses react to how close she came to the animal.
Another group with several children then begins moving in the same direction. The visitors continue toward the bison before one child breaks away and starts running.
The bison turns and briefly follows the child, who manages to get farther down the path without any problem. Other members of the group quickly move away as the animal slows down.
Bison Can Run Up to 35 MPH
The National Park Service tells visitors to turn around or choose another route when a bison blocks a trail (or is within close proximity). Anyone who comes too close should immediately move away and seek cover behind a tree or vehicle if the animal begins following them.
Bison can run up to 35 mph and pivot quickly despite weighing as much as 2,000 pounds. They have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal.
Yellowstone also asks visitors to watch for warning signs such as head bobbing, pawing, bellowing, or a raised tail. Those behaviors can indicate that a charge may be coming.
The park is home to the largest bison population on public land in the United States, according to its bison guide. Yellowstone is also the only place in the country where the animals have lived continuously since prehistoric times.