

Yellowstone bison might look tame as cattle, but an Australian man discovered they are not/NPT file photo Yellowstone bison might look tame as cattle, but an Australian man discovered they are not/NPT file photo

A bison whose space was invaded by Yellowstone National Park visitors Tuesday bolted up and gored an Australian man, tossing him "into the air several times."

Park officials said the unidentified 62-year-old was taking pictures of the bison, which was lying on the grass near an asphalt path near Old Faithful Lodge, with an electronic tablet about 11 a.m.

"He got to within 3 to 5 feet from the bison when it charged him, tossing him into the air several times," a park release said, adding that "several people were crowding" the animal.

When rangers arrived on scene, the bison was approximately 100 yards from the victim. After the man's was given initial treatment, he was flown by helicopter ambulance out of the park to a hospital for treatment.

Details of the man's injuries, which were said to be severe but not life-threatening, were not released.

This is the second bison goring incident this year in Yellowstone. Last month a 16-year-old foreign exchange student was gored when she tried to pose next to a bison for a photograph.

Visitors are reminded that Yellowstone wildlife is wild. Wildlife should not be approached, no matter how tame or calm they appear. When an animal is near a trail or boardwalk, visitors should still give it a wide berth, not approaching closer than the recommended safe distances: 25 yards (23 m) away from all large animals - bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes and at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves.

Bison can sprint three times faster than humans can run and are unpredictable and dangerous. Visitors are advised to always give the animals enough space, even if that means altering their plans to avoid crowding the animal.