Officials at Yellowstone National Park have confirmed that no management action, including euthanasia, will be taken against the bull bison involved in a serious attack at the Bridge Bay Campground last week. The animal remains in the wild following the incident, which left 65-year-old Carl Isom-McDaniel with a severely broken femur.
The encounter occurred during a post-dinner walk when the bison, described by witnesses as agitated, charged at Isom-McDaniel and his 13-year-old grandson. According to witness accounts, including those of photographer Mike MacLeod, Isom-McDaniel successfully diverted the 2,000-pound animal’s attention away from his grandson, likely saving the boy’s life. Isom-McDaniel was subsequently tossed approximately eight feet into the air before landing on the ground.
Following the attack, the retiree was transported to a hospital in Bozeman, Montana, where he underwent surgery for his injuries. Despite the severity of the incident, park authorities maintain their standard policy regarding wildlife interactions. The National Park Service (NPS) continues to warn visitors that bison are unpredictable, capable of running three times faster than humans, and frequently defend their territory when threatened.
The NPS emphasizes that visitors must remain at least 25 yards away from all large animals. Bison remain responsible for more injuries to visitors in Yellowstone than any other species in the park.