Woman Attacked By Bison In Yellowstone National Park Two Days After Park Reopens

A woman was recovering Thursday after being injured in a bison attack at Yellowstone National Park after the Wyoming section of the park reopened from the coronavirus lockdown.

The incident occurred on Wednesday when the woman, whose name has not been released, was passing through Old Faithful Upper Geyser Basin. Park spokeswoman Linda Veress said the woman had been following a bison too closely when the animal turned and attacked.

Officials did not say what kind of injury the woman suffered and the woman refused to be taken to a hospital.

Under the park’s guidelines, the animals residing in Yellowstone National Park are considered wild. As such, visitors are required to keep their distance whenever an animal approaches a “developed area” like a trail or parking lot.

“Stay 25 yards away from all large animals -- bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose and coyotes, and at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves,” park officials said in a statement. “If need be, turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in close proximity.”

The attack came two days after the area of Yellowstone in Wyoming was reopened as part of the state lifting its coronavirus lockdown. Signage was put up across the park telling visitors to practice social distancing while park rangers would help monitor crowds and enforce coronavirus guidelines where needed.

Yellowstone’s land in Montana remains closed while the state takes it first steps to reopening. However, park officials said they were in ongoing conversations with state officials to end the now seven-week closure.