A shocking video from Yellowstone National Park is going viral after a tourist was seriously injured Friday evening when a bull bison tossed him about eight feet into the air.
A tourist was seriously injured Friday evening after being thrown 8 feet into the air by a bull bison in Yellowstone National Park. Professional photographer Mike Macleod filmed the incident and said the bison was “angry, agitated and charging anything and everything.” (No audio) pic.twitter.com/ELmHQjvxFj
— Molly Ploofkins (@Mollyploofkins) July 12, 2026
The incident was captured by professional photographer Mike Macleod, who said the bison was “angry, agitated and charging anything and everything.” It’s a frightening reminder that, as beautiful as Yellowstone’s wildlife is, these animals are wild and incredibly powerful.
When I saw the video, I immediately thought it was AI or something out of a movie. But it wasn’t. Then it reminded me of a post I wrote 10 years ago after my first visit to Yellowstone.
I was on an epic road trip from Bozeman, Montana, to Jackson, Wyoming, in one of Ford’s new Explorers. I couldn’t believe I’d waited so long to visit Yellowstone National Park. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been, and one of the highlights was seeing wildlife up close—including a massive bison casually walking down the middle of one of the park’s main roads.
But what really caught my attention wasn’t the bison—it was the people.
I remember almost spitting out my granola bar when I saw tourists trying to get within just a few feet of a wild bison to take photos. They had obviously ignored the warning signs posted throughout the park.
Bison may look calm, but don’t let that fool you. They can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and run as fast as 35 mph—about three times faster than most people can sprint. According to Yellowstone officials, bison injure more visitors than any other wild animal in the park.
Unfortunately, the scene I witnessed 10 years ago still plays out today.
The latest video sparked plenty of reaction on social media. One person wrote, “The craziest video I’ve seen this year,” while another called it “the stuff nightmares are made of.”
Another commenter pointed out a common misconception: “The ‘gentle giant, friendly herbivore’ trope literally endangered lives. No one in their right mind would get this close to a predator, but people think all plant eaters are automatically ‘friendly.'”
Someone else added: “Once agitated, bulls charge at anything and everything. They’re highly unpredictable.”
Yellowstone National Park recommends staying at least 25 yards (75 feet) away from bison and other large animals. If an animal changes its behavior because you’re nearby, you’re already too close.
Remember: No photo or selfie is worth risking your life. Bring a zoom lens, enjoy these incredible animals from a safe distance, and remember that Yellowstone isn’t a zoo—it’s one of the last great wild places in America.