Full Breakdown
12-Year-Old Injured by Bison at Yellowstone National Park
6/29/2026, 11:13:57 PM
Incident Overview
On Friday, June 26, 2026, a 12-year-old visitor was injured by a bison near the Mud Volcano area, just north of Fishing Bridge in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Emergency medical personnel arrived at approximately 9:15 a.m., treated the child, and transported them to a nearby hospital. The National Park Service (NPS) said the incident remains under investigation and has not released details on the severity of the injuries.
Historical Context of Bison-Visitor Encounters
Bison are the most frequent source of wildlife-related injuries in Yellowstone. Park records note two bison-related injuries in 2023, two in 2024, two in 2025, and the 2026 incident described here. Prior cases include a 47-year-old Florida man gored in May 2024, an 83-year-old South Carolina woman seriously injured in June 2024, and a 30-year-old New Jersey man lightly injured at Old Faithful in 2024. These patterns underscore the long-standing risk bison pose to visitors.
Visitor Safety Guidelines and Park Policy
The NPS requires visitors to keep a minimum distance of 25 yards (?23 metres) from large mammals such as bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose and coyotes, and at least 100 yards (?91 metres) from bears, wolves and cougars. The service advises that if wildlife approaches, people should back away, never approach, touch, feed, or crowd the animals, and report any conflict to park authorities. These rules are reiterated after each incident.
Official Statements & Responses
In a press release, the NPS emphasized that “wild animals can be aggressive when people do not respect their space.” The agency highlighted that bison “are unpredictable, can run three times faster than humans and will defend their space when threatened.” It also noted that the current case is under investigation, with no further information released at this time.
On-the-Ground Reports
According to the NPS release, the child sustained injuries that required transport to a local hospital. No medical details were provided, and park officials said it is unclear what, if any, action by the visitor provoked the bison. The incident was the first bison-related injury reported in Yellowstone in 2026.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact number of prior bison injuries, citing totals of two in 2023, two in 2024, and two in 2025, while some mention only one in 2023. No eyewitness accounts or video evidence have been released, leaving the precise circumstances of the June 2026 encounter undocumented. The severity of the child’s injuries also remains undisclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The visitor sustained injuries, and emergency medical personnel transported them to a nearby hospital. The incident remains under investigation,” — National Park Service spokesperson
- “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,” — National Park Service
- “If wildlife approach you, move away to maintain the required distance. Never approach, touch, feed or crowd wildlife, even if an animal appears calm.” — National Park Service
- “If an animal moves closer to you, back away to maintain a safe distance. It's illegal to willfully remain near or approach wildlife, including birds, within any distance that disturbs or displaces the animal.” — National Park Service
- “Wild animals can be aggressive when people do not respect their space.” — National Park Service
What’s Next
The NPS investigation will determine the cause of the encounter and whether any park policy adjustments are warranted. In the interim, the service continues to issue safety reminders and urges visitors to adhere strictly to distance guidelines to reduce future wildlife conflicts.
