A 25-year-old woman from Grove City, Ohio, was gored by a bison in Yellowstone National Park when she approached the animal Monday morning.

The bison was near a boardwalk at Black Sand Basin (just north of Old Faithful). The visitor, who was also on the boardwalk, approached it, according to a park official. 

“Consequently, the bison gored the woman and tossed her 10 feet into the air,” the park announced in a Wednesday press release.

The woman sustained a puncture wound and other injuries. Park emergency medical providers responded to the incident, transporting her by ambulance to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. The victim, who has not been identified, was reported to have died from her wounds early Wednesday, but news organizations soon walked back their reports. The Medical Center has yet to return inquiries into the incident.

This is the first reported incident in 2022 of a visitor being gored by a bison, which was responding to what it perceived as a “threat,” according to the statement. Bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal. “They are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans,” the statement said.

Park officials often warn when an animal is near a campsite, trail, boardwalk, parking lot, or in a developed area, “give it space.” 

They require visitors stay more than 25 yards away from all large animals — bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes — and at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves.

“If need be, turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in close proximity,” park officials recommended in the statement.

Two other individuals were also within 25 yards of the same bison. The incident remains under investigation.

Yellowstone’s bison population fluctuates from 2,300 to 5,500 animals in two subpopulations, defined by where they gather for breeding. The northern herd breeds in the Lamar Valley and on the surrounding high plateaus. The central herd breeds in Hayden Valley.

Bison are the largest land mammal in North America. Bulls weigh up to 2,000 pounds and cows weigh about 1,000 pounds. The species is agile and quick, and can run up to 35 miles per hour. They can also pivot quickly; an advantage when fighting predators that aim for hindquarters.

One of the most dangerous times to be near bison is during the rut, which begins in late July and continues through August. “Bulls display their dominance by bellowing, wallowing, and fighting other bulls. Once a bull has found a female who is close to estrus, he will stay by her side until she is ready to mate. Then he moves on to another female,” the park reports.

According to a 2018 study on bison attacks, the median number of attacks is one per year. Of the 21 people injured in bison attacks from 2003 to 2018, the study reported 20 people actively approached a bison.

Five of those visitors were attacked after failing to retreat when a bison began to charge. Twelve visitors were attacked during the study period while attempting to take photos of the seemingly docile animals.