For the second time this year, a visitor to Yellowstone National Park was injured in a bison encounter.

A 62-year-old Australian man was seriously injured in the incident near Old Faithful Lodge in Yellowstone National Park around 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 2, according to a news release from the park.

Witnesses reported that several people were crowding a bison that was lying on the grass near an asphalt path when the man approached the bison while taking pictures with an electronic notepad. He got to within 3 to 5 feet from the bison when it charged him, tossing him into the air several times, according to the release.

When responding rangers arrived on scene, the bison was about 100 yards from the man. The man was transported to an ambulance then taken by helicopter for further medical treatment.

Park representatives remind visitors that wildlife should not be approached in the park, no matter how tame or calm they appear. When an animal is near a trail or boardwalk, visitors should still give it a wide berth, not approaching closer than the recommended safe distances: 25 yards (23 m) away from all large animals - bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes and at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves.

 

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