Tag: Bison

Bison ‘thunder’ through crowd of panicked Yellowstone tourists

Tourists were observing a wolf kill down the slope when the spooked bison emerged and began to stampede.

Last week we featured footage showing bison stampeding toward a snow coach in Yellowstone National Park, as tourists watched with heightened concern.

To their relief, the bison navigated around the vehicle without incident.

On Monday, photographer Jeff Vanuga shared an image showing the aftermath of a bison stampede that caused panic among tourists who had been away from their vehicles observing a wolf kill.

Vanuga described the scene via Instagram:

“After wolves took down a bison cow 100′ below the road the herd came up to where the everyone was observing the kill. Seconds later a stampede ensued with bison running directly at the crowd.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DFlo369SGDy/

“Everyone ran and scattered about as the bison thundered through people, snow coaches and snowmobiles. Luckily no one was injured and after getting out of harm’s way I managed a couple shots of the last bison weaving through the crowd. An adrenaline-filled morning!”

The wolves that killed the bison cow belonged to the Wapiti Pack, which utilizes a wide swath of territory, including the northern range in the winter.

Wolves take down bison cow in Yellowstone National Park. Photo: ©Jeff Vanuga

Yellowstone is home to nearly 5,000 bison, which must contend with wolves in the winter, and wolves and grizzly bears during spring and summer.

Bison, which can weigh 2,000 pounds, often utilize roads for easier commuting. This puts them in close contact with tourists.

According to the park, bison can attain speeds of 30 mph, so stampedes are awesome and, at times, harrowing spectacles.

Yellowstone bison stampede toward snow coach in thrilling encounter

Footage shows several bison sprinting toward a snow coach, causing one tourist to ask, “They’re not going to hit our vehicle, are they?”

A spectacular highlight for snow-coach passengers in Yellowstone National Park is to share the road with giant bison.

The accompanying footage, credited to David Wall via Viral Hog, shows more than a dozen bison stampeding toward a snow coach and providing an adrenaline rush for wide-eyed passengers.

“They’re not going to hit our vehicle, are they?” one tourist asks in the footage.

The bison spread around the snow coach to pass, although one slightly bumps the vehicle while navigating its passage.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFXLtTpo6tb/?igsh=NjZiM2M3MzIxNA%3D%3D

Yellowstone has about 5,000 bison and they utilize roads for easier commutes during the winter, so encounters are not rare. However, encounters with stampeding bison are far less common.

The footage is reminiscent of footage captured in February 2019, showing a very large bison sprinting at full speed past a snow coach in a “Holy Jesus” moment. (Click here to view that clip.)

Adult bison, which weigh between 1,000 and 2,000 pounds, can run 30 mph so watching them charge toward you with full heads of steam can be as intimidating as it is impressive.

Yellowstone bison make tracks across snow in surreal footage

When temperatures dip below zero in Yellowstone National Park, tourists are scare but the park’s 4,500 bison carry on out of necessity.

When temperatures dip below zero in Yellowstone National Park, tourists are scarce but the park’s 4,500 bison carry on out of necessity.

The accompanying footage, courtesy of Yellowstone Forever, offers a surreal glimpse into the life of the legendary critters in extreme weather.

“Bison herd making tracks and shadows this past weekend in Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley at about -20 degrees F.,” the nonprofit stated Wednesday via social media.

Yellowstone National Park is the only destination in the lower 48 states to have boasted free-ranging bison herds since prehistoric times.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DFbbubhvZCr/

They can be found year-round in Lamar Valley in the park’s northern range, and in Hayden Valley to the south. In the winer, when temperatures can dip below minus-40 degrees, bison might also be found near thermal areas in the western portion of the park.

Bison feed mostly on grasses and grass-like plants, and during the winter they often use their massive heads to shovel snow while traveling and searching for food.

Their only predators are grizzly bears, which are currently hibernating, and wolves, which like bison must carry on despite the cold.

Rest assured, these creatures are not roaming Montana, Yellowstone

Image showing a hybrid bison/elk was produced by a program asked to reveal Montana’s favorite wild animal in 2024.

Something you will not see in Montana or Yellowstone National Park is the animal featured in the accompanying image.

But according to AI, the bizarre-looking critter was Montana’s favorite wild animal in 2024.

“If we were to give this species a name, we might call it Elson or Biselk,” Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks joked recently via social media.

The agency explained that the image showing a hybrid bison/elk was produced by an AI program that was asked to showcase the state’s most popular animal.

Viewers will note the uncharacteristically slender body and face of a bison, with antlers that’d look more realistic on an elk.

Can you imagine encountering this animal in Yellowstone, which is accessible from Montana via three entrance gates?

https://www.instagram.com/p/DEP-FvIJ2bR/

 

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks alluded to the controversial nature of AI-generated images and information before adding:

“One thing we can all agree on is Montana is one of the most spectacular states, and at Montana FWP, we recognize that people REALLY love the outdoors.

“From outdoor enthusiasts to hunters, there is a special place for all to enjoy. And we are honored to provide management and be the stewards of the lands we all love.”

Bison fight showcases ‘strength and resilience’ of iconic critters

On National Bison Day comes a video reminder, courtesy of Yellowstone National Park, of the awesome power of these legendary beasts.

The U.S. Department of the Interior on Saturday informed social-media followers that National Bison Day is a time to “celebrate this majestic symbol of strength and resilience.”

With that in mind, below is an extraordinary clip that showcases the strength of one adult male bison – and resilience of another – as it clears its rival from a highway by knocking him briefly airborne. (Keep in mind that adult male bison can weigh 2,000 pounds.)

https://www.facebook.com/YellowstoneNPS/videos/335962277579050

The footage, captured during mating season through a vehicle window, was shared by Yellowstone National Park in 2020, along with the warning: “Remember to always keep your distance — 25 yards from bison and elk; 100 yards from all other wildlife.”

(Click here if video player does not appear above.)

While commemorating National Bison Day, the U.S. Department of the Interior boasted that, in a collaborative effort with tribes and states, the agency manages 11,000 bison in 19 herds across 12 states. (Yellowstone is home to nearly 5,000 bison.)

https://www.instagram.com/p/DB3ucq2xXJk/

The department continued: “This magnificent animal joins the ranks of the bald eagle as the official symbol of our country — and much like the eagle, it’s a symbol of our American identity and one of the greatest conservation success stories of all time.”

The department concluded with its own humorous warning to tourists, alluding to the unpredictability of massive animals that are not always as docile as they appear to be: “And as a reminder: Don’t pet the fluffy cow.”

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River crossing turns perilous for Yellowstone bison calves

The scene revealed to observers that a time of critter births is also a period when many newborn animals succumb to the elements.

Yellowstone National Park abounds with wildlife and visitors typically leave with wonderful memories involving critters they had encountered.

But visitors who spend enough time in the park also witness heart-wrenching scenes that leave them wondering why nature can seem so cruel.

In late May, I pulled over west of Lamar Valley and watched from a distance as a bison herd began to cross the Lamar River.

Momma bison searches for calf downstream.

The river was shallow but with deep, swift-running channels. The opposite bank was steep with loose dirt and the crossing seemed like a perilous proposition for newborn calves.

Within seconds, one calf was swept downstream and around a bend, leaving mom in a panic. She ran down the middle of the river, staying on a shallow. bar, and ultimately accessed the bank to continue her search.

Bison calf pleads for help as momma closes in.

As this occurred, another calf was swept about 40 yards downstream, but regained its footing and ultimately crossed the river with mom’s guidance.

As the herd continued up and over the bank, the bison that lost her calf paced the area for several minutes before abandoning her search to rejoin the herd.

Momma bison helps calf exit a deep portion of river.

I was with other tourists about 500 yards away. We could not see all of the action but concluded that only the one calf had been lost, likely to be preyed upon or scavenged by wolves, coyotes, or bears.

I was so far away, with a 400-millimeter lens, that I didn’t even look at my images until recently. So I cropped the accompanying shots to help illustrate this story.

Baby bison is back on its feet after most of the herd had crossed over the bank.

The scene revealed to us that a season of critter births is also a period when many newborn animals succumb to the elements or predation.

Remarkably, a day later I witnessed a pronghorn birth from almost the same spot, while also watching a momma badger excavate a den for her kits.

Birth of white bison in Yellowstone a ‘one-in-a-million’ event

It’s the first-known birth of a white bison inside Yellowstone National Park, but it’s unclear if the animal is still alive.

Yellowstone National Park on Friday confirmed the first-known birth of a white bison calf inside the park earlier this month.

Bison calves are typically reddish at birth and are affectionally called “red dogs” until their fur changes to a mottled brown as they age.

Some on social media have referred to the white calf as a “spirit animal” because of cultural beliefs. But there have been no confirmed sightings of the white calf since its birth on June 4. (About 1 in 5 bison calves die shortly after birth because of natural hazards.)

The park, describing this as a “one-in-a-million” event, issued a news release containing the following bullet points:

At this time, Yellowstone National Park can confirm, based on multiple creditable sightings, that a white bison calf was born in Lamar Valley on June 4, 2024.

Yellowstone’s Center for Resources Bison Management Team received numerous reports and photos of the calf taken on June 4 from park visitors, professional wildlife watchers, commercial guides and researchers.

Photos provided to park biologists indicate the calf is leucistic (black eyes and hooves with some pigmentation), rather than an albino animal.

The park explained that births of white bison calves were extremely rare even when tens of millions of bison roamed the plains – before their near-extinction in the 19th century.

“The birth of a white bison calf may reflect the presence of a natural genetic legacy that was preserved in Yellowstone’s bison, which has revealed itself because of the successful recovery of a wild bison population of 3,000 to 6,000 animals,” the park stated.

The park added: “The NPS acknowledges the cultural significance of a white bison calf for American Indians.”

About 4,500 bison resided within Yellowstone National Park before the 2024 calving season began.

–White bison calf image courtesy of Jordan Creech

Elderly woman seriously injured by bison at Yellowstone National Park

The 83-year-old woman from South Carolina was flown by helicopter from the Lake Medical Clinic to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

An 83-year-old woman visiting Yellowstone National Park was seriously injured when a bison, defending its space, approached the woman and lifted her about a foot off the ground with its horns.

The incident occurred Saturday near the Storm Point Trail at Yellowstone Lake, according to the National Park Service.

The woman, who is from Greenville, South Carolina, was transported by park emergency responders to the Lake Medical Clinic where she was flown by helicopter to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

“The incident remains under investigation and there is no additional information to share at this time, including the woman’s condition,” the NPS stated late Monday afternoon.

More from the National Park Service:

Visitors: It’s your responsibility to respect safety regulations and view wildlife from a safe distance. Move away from wildlife if they approach you.

Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park are wild and can be dangerous. Wild animals can be aggressive if people don’t respect their space. When an animal is near a campsite, trail, boardwalk, parking lot or in a developed area, give it space. It is your responsibility to stay more than 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. If need be, move or turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in close proximity.

Bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal. Bison are not aggressive animals but will defend their space when threatened. They are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans.

Read more about safety in the park, including how to behave around wildlife. The safety of these animals, as well as human safety, depends on everyone using good judgment and following these simple rules.

Protect the park today and for future generations by taking the Yellowstone Pledge!

Photo courtesy of the National Park Service.

Can you spot the Yellowstone bison and three grizzly bears?

Hiking guide Douglas Scott posed the question after capturing images of a grizzly bear family and a large bison in a single frame.

A guide who leads hiking excursions in Yellowstone National Park on Tuesday shared a “quiz” image via X, asking:

“Can you find the lone bison and the three grizzly bears from this picture from Yellowstone National Park?”

It’s not a difficult quiz for those who blow up the image.  (Answer provided below.)

But Douglas Scott’s images from this encounter are interesting because they show a momma grizzly bear with yearling cubs in a seemingly peaceful coexistence with a nearby bison.

“The bison was pretty alert, but there were no issues, as bears rarely, if ever try to attack a full-grown bison,” Scott, who runs The Outdoor Society, told FTW Outdoors. “The cubs were definitely were curious about it, occasionally stopping their grazing and watching the bison.”

Grizzly bear family walks around bison. Photo: Douglas Scott

Scott tweeted a second image from the encounter, which shows the bear family walking around the bison, with the bison standing and alert.

“Do you see all three grizzlies?” Scott asked his followers. “The bison certainly did.”

Scott said the encounter occurred northeast of the Fountain Paint Pots boardwalk on May 10 at 5 p.m.

Grizzly bears (left) and bison at the edge of a meadow. Photo: Douglas Scott

May is an excellent month for viewing grizzly bears and bison in Yellowstone National Park, as both species are often in close viewing range with youngsters in tow.

Yellowstone tourists (and grizzly bears) set for baby elk season

It’s elk-calving season in Yellowstone National Park, which means one thing for visitors and another for bears and other top predators.

Yellowstone National Park has cautioned tourists to be extra careful with elk-calving season getting underway.

“Stay alert. Look around corners before exiting buildings or walking around blind spots: cow elk may bed their calves near buildings and under cars,” the park warned in a news release. “Cow elk are much more aggressive towards people during the calving season and may run towards you or kick.”

At the same time, a prominent tour company reminded social-media followers that the park’s grizzly bears might also be turning their attention to baby elk.

“It is near that time of year when elk calves will be born and the grizzlies will turn their sights on the lone female elk,” Yellowstone Insight began via Facebook.

For bears (and wolves), locating elk calves is challenging because the tiny critters are born with little or no scent and often kept hidden.

A lone cow elk, Yellowstone Insight elaborated, might signal to a bear that a calf is nearby:

“Elk give birth in a solitary area, removed from the herd, in hopes of not drawing attention during this vulnerable time. But, it is the smart grizzly bear that knows to look for the solitary elk… they become a serious predator, zig-zagging through the area in hopes of finding the hidden calf.”

The National Park Service notes that in the spring “a grizzly bear’s diet primarily consists of elk, bison, and other ungulates. These ungulates are primarily winter-killed carrion (already dead and decaying animals), and elk calves killed by predation.”

Yellowstone Insight noted that a grizzly bear momma and two cubs spent the past several days feasting on a bison carcass in the northern range.

But the bison carcass is almost fully consumed and the bears will move on, with momma bear perhaps keeping an eye peeled for a lone female elk.

–Elk calf image courtesy of Yellowstone National Park