Carl Isom-McDaniel, 65, and his grandson were attacked by a bison last weekend while visiting Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, the National Park Service (NPS) announced on 13/7.

A male bison approached a visitor campsite, chasing a group of teenagers who fled, before rolling on the ground by the roadside.

McDaniel and his grandson initially took photos from a distance. Realizing the situation was unsafe, they began to retreat. At that moment, a passing pickup truck agitated the animal, which then chased the vehicle before redirecting its aggression towards the man and his grandson.

While his grandson managed to escape, McDaniel was gored by the animal and thrown approximately 2.4 meters into the air, sustaining fractures upon landing.

Mike MacLeod, a photographer present at the scene, captured the incident. He and others shouted to deter the animal, then called 911 and provided care for the victim until an ambulance arrived.

The NPS stated that the bison involved in the incident weighed about 900 kg. The victim underwent emergency surgery at a hospital and is currently recovering.

MacLeod believes McDaniel and his grandson maintained an appropriate distance and did not provoke the animal. As he left the park, the photographer observed approximately six other more dangerous situations, including visitors getting too close or actively provoking bison.

The NPS advises visitors to maintain a minimum distance of 90 meters from bears, wolves, and mountain lions if encountered in national parks, and at least 23 meters from other wild animals, including bison. If an animal approaches, visitors should actively move away to maintain a safe distance.

Bison are the largest land animals in the US. Their mating season at Yellowstone typically runs from June to September. However, the NPS has not determined if this factor contributed to the animal's aggression.

Last month, a 12-year-old visitor was also attacked by a bison in Yellowstone National Park and required hospitalization.