Yellowstone National Park – Syndication Server

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.

Rarely seen Yellowstone wildcats appear boldly on ridge

Footage shows the normally elusive mountain lions traversing a snow-covered ridge as if out for a Sunday stroll.

A guide in Yellowstone National Park last week captured footage of rarely seen cougars traversing a snow-covered ridge as if out for a Sunday stroll.

MacNeil Lyons of Yellowstone Insight told FTW Outdoors that he was leading a photography tour with a guest from the U.K., who was “extremely excited” to observe cougars for the first time.

Understandable, considering that most visitors to Yellowstone do not see cougars, or mountain lions. Although the park is home to perhaps a few dozen of the large wildcats, they’re famously stealthy and elusive.

Lyons shared the accompanying footage via Instagram, writing:

“High in elevation, between craggy peaks these two sauntered on the ridge line with a backlit ‘bluebird’ sky! As the lions went out of view from one vantage point, I read the landscape and moved a few miles down the road to try a different vantage point.

“Our luck continued as we picked them up as one sat and peered over the edge of large snow cornices. We had our time with them for at least 20 minutes.”

Lyons told FTW Outdoors that he captured the footage in the northern range from more than a mile away, with an iPhone attached to a Swarovski spotting scope.

He said the cougars might be the same pair – perhaps a courting pair, or a mom with a subadult offspring – that was spotted recently on a ridge hunting mountain goats.

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According to the park, cougars are native to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem but were nearly eradicated throughout the Lower 48 states during predator-removal campaigns in the early 1900s.

They survived in the West largely because of their preference for remote, rugged habitat, and their elusive nature.

Lyons, who has documented an astonishing 37 cougar sightings in 25 years of living in Montana, expressed concern for the future of the park and surrounding region in light of new or proposed laws that could jeopardize wildlife.

He concluded his Instagram post:

“We need these Wild Places. But more importantly the entire 4-legged, feathered and scaled community needs this wild space. Pay attention to new state & federal laws that lessen the protection of our Public Lands.

“Times are changing and seemingly not to the benefit of those without a voice… the animal community. Be their voice for protection and ethical stewardship of these wild spaces.

“Thank you to all that are keeping up the Good Fight.”

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.

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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.

Rare footage shows Yellowstone cougar stalking mountain goats

Extremely rare footage shows the cougar, or mountain lion, attempting to gain an edge on several goats perched on a cliff.

An ecotour company that specializes in wolf-sighting expeditions in Yellowstone National Park has shared extremely rare footage showing a cougar stalking mountain goats on a snowy slope.

“Look carefully above the mountain goats to see a cougar stalking them along the mountainside,” Yellowstone Wolf Tracker stated Thursday via Instagram. “Our Winter Wolf Watch was lucky enough to get a rare glimpse of this big cat at work but the mountain goats survived in the end by perching on a tall and narrow cliff, leaving no room for the cougar to attack.”

The accompanying footage is grainy but viewers can see the goats holding positions as the cougar, or mountain lion, ranges back and forth before exiting the frame.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DE50LfgRzcS/

Cougar sightings are rare in Yellowstone, with an estimated population of only 34 to 42 animals residing in the park’s vast northern range. The stealthy cats prefer rugged terrain and prey primarily on mule deer and elk, plus smaller mammals, notably marmots.

Mountain goats reside in the park but are not native to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Can you spot the ‘moose head’ amid the snow in Yellowstone?

Moose sightings are fairly rare in Yellowstone National Park, but this “moose head” is commonly spotted in the northern range.

A hiking guide who leads excursions in Yellowstone National Park paused for a photo opportunity recently and later asked his Threads followers:

“Do you see the ‘moose head’ in this picture from Yellowstone National Park?”

Douglas Scott, who runs The Outdoor Society, allowed the use of his image so we also ask: Can you spot the moose head referenced by Scott?

Our only hint – not that one should be needed – is that this is not your typical Yellowstone critter quiz.

Before we reveal a closeup to confirm your guesses, a few facts about Yellowstone’s moose population:

– Moose are the largest members of the deer family in the park. Adult bulls can weigh nearly 1,000 pounds and stand nearly 8 feet at the shoulders. Female moose are nearly as large.

– Moose that inhabit the park are part of a subspecies that range from British Columbia to southern Colorado (Alces alces shirasi). They’re smaller than other types of moose in North America, and well-adapted for survival in the snow.

– Bull moose typically shed their antlers each winter to conserve energy in harsh weather.

– Fewer than 200 moose inhabit the park. Because they’re largely solitary and prefer to remain concealed, sightings are fairly rare.

– The “moose head” Scott photographed is in the park’s northern range, visible from a Lamar Valley-area rest stop. Below is Scott’s closeup image.

“Moose head” growing from rock in park’s northern range. Photo: Douglas Scott

As Yellowstone bears sleep, park warns of another dangerous critter

Yellowstone National Park elaborates that just because bears are hibernating, visitors should keep bear spray handy.

Yellowstone National Park this week cautioned that while most bears are hibernating, winter visitors should still carry bear spray.

That’s because mountain lions, or cougars, are active year-round in the park.

“Though these big cats are extremely elusive and averse to human activity, you should always take care when recreating in the park — even in the winter,” the park explained via Instagram. “Carry bear spray and keep it handy, not inside your pack.

“If you see a cougar, ACT BIG! Yell, show your teeth, and make eye contact.”

Yellowstone cougar keeps watch from tree. Photo: NPS/Connor Meyer

Biologists estimate that as many as 42 cougars inhabit the park’s northern range, and that other cougars enter the park sporadically.

MORE OUTDOORS: Yellowstone grizzly bear makes snow angels

For comparison, the park is home to about 125 wolves, which are also active year-round.

But wolves, although they can be elusive, reside in packs and are more predictable, in terms of revealing their locations, than mountain lions.

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From the park website: “Wolves are not normally a danger to humans, unless humans habituate them by providing them with food. No wolf has attacked a human in Yellowstone.”

Cougar encounters, while extremely rare, do occur.

In February 2022, Yellowstone Wolf Tracker shared distant footage showing a large cougar rising from its resting spot and exiting the frame. (Video posted above.)

The ecotour company exclaimed: “Low-quality video but a high-quality sighting!”

Cougars prey mostly on deer and elk, but also small mammals such as marmots.

According to the park’s website, bears and wolves sometimes displace cougars from their kills, and wolf packs have been known to kill adult cougars and cougar kittens.

The park adds that “very few documented confrontations between cougars and humans have occurred in Yellowstone.”

But it’s best to be prepared.

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Watch: Hibernate? Yellowstone grizzly bear would rather make snow angels

Footage shows a grizzly bear playing in the snow, albeit wearily, during hibernation season in Yellowstone National Park.

By now, almost all grizzly bears in Yellowstone National Park are denned up for the winter. But that doesn’t mean some won’t venture outside their dens between now and spring.

The accompanying footage, captured by Trent Sizemore, shows a grizzly bear happily – but wearily – rolling on fresh snow in January 2021.

The footage was shared by the U.S. Department of the Interior, which joked: “Are you having trouble losing those unwanted, extra holiday pounds? Then ask your doctor if hibernation is right for you.”

The agency added: “Winter is the time of year in Yellowstone National Park when bears hibernate, although, it’s possible to see one any time of year.”

With another holiday season upon us, and with Yellowstone aficionados wishing the bears a restful winter’s sleep, we’re sharing Sizemore’s timeless clip as a moment of seasonal joy. (Click here if video doesn’t appear below.)

https://www.facebook.com/USInterior/videos/251214426379835

Weary Yellowstone bear shown ‘tucking self in’ for hibernation

Footage shows a very sleepy black bear gathering extra bedding material before resuming its long winter nap.

The Yellowstone Safari Company on Saturday shared heartwarming footage showing a sleepy black bear gathering material just outside its den before resuming its long winter nap.

“Have you ever seen a bear tuck themself in for their winter hibernation?” guide Grant T. Johnson asked via Instagram. (Footage posted below.)

Johnson explained that his group was “very lucky” to have encountered the bear Friday as it emerged to seek extra insulation material in the form of twigs and other debris.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DDE-_BCp3Yn/

The guide explained: “Bears aren’t true hibernators, in the most technical sense of the term, but rather enter a state of torpor, or extreme inactivity, in the winter. Still, it’s unusual to see them emerge from their dens at all once they tuck in during autumn.

“Sleep well, little buddy, and we’ll see you in the spring.”

According to Yellowstone National Park, most bears have entered their dens by mid-November, “although some males remain active through December before hibernating.”

Bears in the Greater Yellowstone area typically begin to emerge from their dens in early February, and most bears have left their dens by early May.

Male bears tend to abandon their dens much earlier than female bears with cubs.

Can you spot Yellowstone grizzly bear family on the move?

In Yellowstone National Park, a distant view of grizzly bears can be as satisfying as an up-close roadside view – if you can spot them.

–Editor’s note: A version of this post was first published in June 2024, after the author’s annual spring trip to Yellowstone National Park.

In Yellowstone National Park, a distant view of grizzly bears can be as satisfying as an up-close roadside view because it requires a keen eye and the animals are in more of a natural setting.

Can you spot the momma grizzly bear and her three cubs in the image I captured in late May, from a hillside opposite the Lamar Valley? (Answer at the bottom of the post.)

Can you spot the grizzly bear and three cubs? Photo: ©Pete Thomas

The bears had been grazing on both sides of the highway and creating sporadic traffic jams, or “bear jams,” whenever they were been visible.

MORE OUTDOORS: Mystery animal near Yellowstone likely one of area’s rarest creatures

Momma bear was with first-year cubs, or cubs of the year, born during the winter hibernation period. The curious little ones did not stray far from mom while I watched from a distance of 100-plus yards.

Same grizzly bears in different image. Photo: ©Pete Thomas

During this sighting the bears ascended a hillside opposite the valley after being run off by a bison herd in a meadow surrounded by sagebrush.

(Momma bear was so preoccupied with foraging, with her head down, that she did not seem to notice how closely she was leading her cubs to several bison and their newborn calves.)

The bears were too far for me to capture a detailed image with my 400-millimeter lens, but I’ve attached a cropped version of a different image from the same sighting that shows the bears in more detail.

The bears in the top images used for the quiz are circled below.

Grizzly bear family circled in red. Photo: ©Pete Thomas

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