A 65-year-old grandfather who was violently thrown into the air by a bull bison in Yellowstone National Park has been identified as Carl Isom-McDaniel of Washington state. He suffered several broken bones in the dramatic attack by the animal while he was with his grandchildren near the Bridge Bay Campground. Despite the severity of his injuries, Carl reportedly remained conscious, in good spirits and even cracked jokes while waiting for emergency responders. The incident, captured on video by a nearby photographer, has again drawn attention to the dangers of getting close to wildlife during Yellowstone’s busy summer season and the importance of following park safety guidelines.
Who is Carl Isom-McDaniel? 65 year old grandfather attacked by Yellowstone bison
Carl Isom-McDaniel is a 65-year-old Washington state resident who was injured in the Yellowstone bison attack. He was visiting the national park with his grandson at the time of the incident. According to eyewitness Mike McLeod, the pair were filming the bison when the animal suddenly stood up and began attacking. Carl bore the brunt of the attack, while his grandson managed to get out of the way of the beast.The attack occurred near the Bridge Bay Campground in Yellowstone National Park. Witness Mike MacLeod, who filmed the incident, said the bull bison appeared agitated before attacking. According to their account, the animal had shown aggressive behavior by confronting other visitors and even a passing vehicle before turning towards Carl and his grandson.MacLeod said Carl attempted to duck behind nearby trees as the bison approached, but the animal caught up to him, caught him with one of its horns and tossed him several feet into the air. After Carl landed, the bison remained close to him and showed aggressive behavior before bystanders shouted and moved towards him, causing the animal to retreat.
What injuries did Carl suffer?
Carl suffered several broken bones and a painful leg injury in the attack. Despite the seriousness of his condition, witnesses said he remained conscious throughout the incident. Emergency personnel later transported him to the hospital for treatment.MacLeod told the New York Times that Carl remained remarkably calm despite his injuries.“He had a lot of pain in his leg, otherwise he was conscious the whole time, in good spirits, joking around.”This incident occurred during the bison rut, or mating season, when bull bison become more territorial and aggressive. During this period, male bison often react unpredictably to people, vehicles, and other animals they perceive as threats.McLeod said the bull appeared unusually agitated and was attacking anything in its path before encountering Carl.According to McLeod, Carl and his grandson were not intentionally approaching the bison. He said the pair seemed to be watching the animal from a reasonable distance when it unexpectedly moved towards them.The National Park Service has not said publicly whether the visitors violated park rules, and the exact distance between them and the bison has not been confirmed.
Yellowstone Safety Guidelines
Yellowstone National Park advises visitors to stay at least 25 yards (23 m) away from bison, elk and other large animals, and at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves. Visitors are advised to never approach wildlife, even if the animals appear calm, and to move away immediately if an animal changes its behavior or starts to approach.Bison may appear slow, but they can weigh up to 2,000 pounds (about 900 kg) and run at speeds of up to 35 mph (56 km/h), making them one of the park’s most dangerous wild animals.
Bison encounters are very dangerous
Bison are responsible for more injuries to visitors than any other wild animal in Yellowstone. Their enormous size, speed and unpredictable behavior, especially during the breeding season, make close encounters extremely risky.Park officials regularly remind visitors that bison are wild animals, not tourist attractions. Even experienced photographers and wildlife observers are encouraged to maintain a safe distance, as animals may attack without warning if they feel threatened or disturbed.