A 12-year-old child was hospitalized Friday after being injured by a bison at Yellowstone National Park, officials said.
According to Yellowstone National Park, the child was visiting the park when the encounter occurred at about 9:15 a.m.
Park officials said the incident happened near the Mud Volcano area. The child was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment.
Authorities did not release details about the extent of the child’s injuries.
The incident marks the first reported bison-related attack in Yellowstone in 2026.
Last year, two people were gored by bison in separate incidents, one in May and another in June.
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Yellowstone also recorded two visitor-bison encounters in 2024, including an April incident in which a man was injured after reportedly harassing a bison herd, followed by another injury involving a visitor in June.
In 2023, the park reported one bison-related injury.
Yellowstone said visitors are responsible for staying 25 yards away from wildlife like bison at all times, because animals can become aggressive on close approach.
“Bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal. They are unpredictable, can run three times faster than humans and will defend their space when threatened,” the national park said.
If an animal moves closer to you, back away to maintain a safe distance.
The national park requires all conflict with animals to be reported to Yellowstone.
Yellowstone National Park said the incident is under investigation.
