The 16-year-old student got a little too close to the huge beast during her sight-seeing trip with her host family. The National Parks Service say the girl was standing between three anid six feet from the bison near Old Faithful when the incident occurred.
The girl was with a group of other people near the bison, when she turned her back on the animal to have her picture taken, according to CBS News. The animal took a step or two and gored the girl.
The teenager was first rushed to the Old Faithful Clinic before being airlifted to a hospital for further treatment. Her injuries are described as being serious but not life-threatening.
Yellowstone’s wildlife is wild
Yellowstone Park is a wilderness area, and its natural wonders, while spectacular, can also be hazardous. This includes both the geysers, hot springs and wildlife.
Every year, there are people getting gored by bison in the park, sometimes fatally. “Visitors are reminded that Yellowstone wildlife is wild,” park rangers said. “Wildlife should not be approached, no matter how tame or calm they appear.”
There are signs everywhere in the park warning visitors to stay away from the wildlife. The Yellowstone National Park web site is specific in its warning about not interacting with the wildlife.
Specifically, the warning states: “You must stay at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves and at least 25 yards (23 m) away from all other large animals – bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes.”
The park also warns that is is harmful and illegal to feed any animals in the park. The bison population in the park is estimated to be between 2,500 and 5,000 animals.
