The 2023 bison attack in Yellowstone National Park has resurfaced as one of the most striking examples of what can go wrong when tourists get too close to wild animals.
The New York Post reported the incident in July 2023, when a 47-year-old woman from Arizona was gored in the chest and abdomen by a bison near Lake Lodge Cabins on the shores of Lake Yellowstone.
The woman and a companion were walking through a field when they encountered two bison, according to the National Park Service.
Although they turned and walked away, one of the animals reportedly attacked, causing the woman to suffer “serious injuries” that required her to be airlifted by helicopter to a regional medical center.
Although the incident occurred in 2023, it sparked a strong response in the article’s comments section, where readers discussed responsibility, tourism culture, and the risks of getting too close to wild animals.
“Every time I see a story like this I don’t feel sad, not at all,” one commenter wrote in response to the report. “I went to Yellowstone a few years ago and there are thousands of signs around the park warning people.”
Yellowstone officials have long urged visitors to stay at least 25 yards away from bison and similar animals.
The timing of the event is also important: mid-July marks the start of bison mating season, when the animals become more unpredictable and aggressive. Bison can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and run at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour—far faster than most people expect.
This discussion has resurfaced amid other recent wildlife incidents in Yellowstone.
In 2024 and 2025, park officials reported multiple injuries involving bison and elk, often related to visitors approaching the animals to take photos or videos.
Each year, Yellowstone reminds visitors that wildlife encounters are one of the leading causes of serious injuries in the park.
In addition to the risks to humans, these encounters can have devastating consequences for wildlife. Animals that harm humans—whether provoked or not—may be euthanized, and healthy animals disappear from protected ecosystems because of human actions.
Commenters with first-hand experience echoed these concerns.
“I worked in Yellowstone National Park for two summers and winters. It was crazy the crazy things I saw tourists do just to take photos,” one wrote. “Leave the wild animals alone!”
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