Two Yellowstone visitors injured by bison

Posted 6/29/17

Theodore Schrader, 74, and Patsy Holmes, 72, from Heber City, Utah, were taking photographs on a boardwalk at the Mud Volcano area — just north of Lake Village — when a bison approached them.

The bison then butted Holmes, who fell into her …

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Two Yellowstone visitors injured by bison

Posted

A Utah couple was injured after being “butted” by a bison this (Wednesday) morning in Yellowstone National Park, park officials say.

Theodore Schrader, 74, and Patsy Holmes, 72, from Heber City, Utah, were taking photographs on a boardwalk at the Mud Volcano area — just north of Lake Village — when a bison approached them.

The bison then butted Holmes, who fell into her husband, Schrader, and they both fell to the ground, park officials said in a Wednesday afternoon news release.

Yellowstone rangers evacuated the couple from the trail to the road, about a quarter-mile away. The couple was then transported to the Lake Clinic, and Holmes was flown on to a medical facility in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Park officials said Holmes was in stable condition, while Schrader’s injuries were minor.

This is the year’s first confirmed incident of a bison injuring a visitor, park officials said. They reminded visitors to stay at least 25 yards away from all large animals — including bison — and 100 yards from bears and wolves.

“When an animal is near a trail, boardwalk, parking lot, or in a developed area, give it space,” officials said in the release, adding, “If need be, turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in close proximity.”

In 2015, five people were injured after approaching bison.

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