Carl McDaniel, a 65-year-old grandfather, has recounted his traumatic experience of being hurled through the air by a bison while visiting Yellowstone National Park earlier this month. The shocking incident occurred on July 10, 2023, and has drawn attention to the potential dangers posed by wildlife in national parks.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Man-Attacked-by-Bison-071326-01-1e1c98cf9aa14797aed795bce428fd92.jpg)
McDaniel was near the Bridge Bay Campground, observing a bison from a distance of around 100 yards. He described how the animal initially appeared calm. Notably, he and his 13-year-old grandson were taking photographs and enjoying their encounter with nature when an unexpected event changed everything. Their quiet moment was abruptly interrupted when a nearby truck drove by, honking its horn in an apparent bid to encourage the bison to move along.
This action agitated the bison, prompting it to charge at McDaniel and his grandson. Recall of the rapid unfolding of events showed that McDaniel had limited time to react. “There was little time to decide what to do,” he explained, stating that the animal was within striking distance and closing in fast. In a split-second decision, McDaniel instructed his grandson to run in one direction while he attempted to divert the charging animal by running in the opposite direction.
Unfortunately, as McDaniel turned to flee, the bison struck him with its head, sending him flying up to eight feet into the air. The impact left him “immobile” on the ground, and he vividly described the moment the massive creature loomed over him. “He was right on top of me,” McDaniel recounted, still in disbelief that the bison refrained from causing further harm. “He could have stomped on me, he could have gored me, he could have done almost anything to take my life, but he did not do so.”
The startling incident was captured on camera by photographer Mike MacLeod, who was present at the park during the attack. MacLeod later explained that he stopped filming to rush over and assist McDaniel when he saw the bison standing directly above him. “I was really afraid he was going to gore the guy on the ground,” MacLeod told Cowboy State Daily. His instinct to intervene likely prevented a more tragic outcome.
Upon realising the severity of his injuries, McDaniel was promptly attended to by park emergency medical personnel, who transported him to a nearest hospital. It later emerged that he had suffered a broken femur in four places, necessitating surgical intervention. Despite the complexity of his injuries, McDaniel expressed relief that his situation was not as dire as it could have been.
On July 13, he shared his experience through an interview with CNN, discussing both the frightful moments during the attack and the subsequent medical procedures. McDaniel underwent surgery on July 12 and was able to begin walking again shortly after, with plans for ongoing physical therapy.
Reflecting on his experience, McDaniel emphasised the unpredictability of wildlife encounters, particularly in parks where people often come to observe animals in their natural habitats. While he acknowledged the fear associated with such a close encounter, he also maintained a sense of gratitude for having escaped with his life.
As he continues his recovery, McDaniel’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting wildlife and maintaining a safe distance. Park officials routinely advise visitors to be cautious and observant, particularly around potentially dangerous animals like bison, which can be unpredictable and aggressive when they feel threatened.