A 12-year-old visitor was injured by a bison Friday morning at Yellowstone National Park, the National Park Service said.
The agency has released only limited information about the encounter. Emergency medical personnel transported the child to a nearby hospital, and park officials said an investigation is now underway to determine what led to the incident.
According to the Park Service, the injury occurred around 9:15 a.m. Mountain Time near Yellowstone’s Mud Volcano area. The popular stop is known for its hydrothermal steam vents and a short boardwalk trail that winds through the landscape. Bison have been seen in the area in the past.
Bison are also frequently spotted near several of Yellowstone’s other well-known hydrothermal and visitor areas, including Old Faithful. Last year, a New Jersey man was injured near the famous geyser after being gored by a bison. That June 2025 incident came roughly a month after a Florida man was gored and injured by a bison in the park’s Lake Village area, which includes hotels and restaurants. At the time, officials said both men had gotten too close to the animals.
The Park Service has repeatedly reminded visitors that wildlife in Yellowstone can pose serious risks. The park spans more than 2.2 million acres across Wyoming, Montana and a small portion of Idaho, and close encounters with wild animals can quickly become dangerous.
“Wild animals can be aggressive when people do not respect their space,” the agency wrote.
Visitors are urged to stay at least 25 yards away from most wildlife in the park, including bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose and coyotes, according to the agency. For bears, wolves and cougars, the recommended distance is at least 100 yards.
Bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal, the Park Service said, emphasizing that they are “unpredictable.” The animals can run up to 30 mph — at least three times faster than a person — and will defend their space if they feel threatened. Adult males can weigh as much as 2,000 pounds, while females can weigh up to about 1,000 pounds.
Yellowstone’s bison population has ranged from 3,500 to 6,000 in recent years, according to the park service. They roam freely around the park and are typically found in grasslands during the summer months.
