Yellowstone bison attack victim warns animals are faster than they look
Carl Isom-McDaniel said from a Montana hospital that a bison charged after locking eyes with him, leaving him with a badly broken femur.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
2 min read
Carl Isom-McDaniel says the Yellowstone bison that sent him flying seemed calm at first, right up until the animal fixed its attention on him.
The 65-year-old described the attack from a hospital bed in a video posted by CBS News, after he was thrown eight feet into the air during an encounter at Yellowstone National Park this month.
According to CBS News, Isom-McDaniel broke his femur in four places, underwent surgery and is recovering at a hospital in Montana.
The charge came fast
In the CBS News video, Isom-McDaniel said the bison had been rolling in the dirt and was not showing aggression before the moment changed. He said the animal then locked eyes on him.
Isom-McDaniel said he told his grandson to leave the area, then tried to get away by running through trees. The bison caught up with him.
His warning from the hospital was blunt: “They move faster than you could ever imagine.”
The attack spread widely online after video of the incident circulated on X. A post by Molly Ploofkins said professional photographer Mike Macleod filmed the moment and described the bull bison as “angry, agitated and charging anything and everything.”
The same post said the tourist was seriously injured on a Friday evening after being tossed eight feet into the air. The footage shared on X had no audio.
Park says the bison will not be put down
Yellowstone officials have said they do not plan to euthanize the bison involved in the attack.
Park guidance tells visitors to stay at least 75 feet away from bison. The animals are a signature sight at Yellowstone, but the warning is clear: distance matters, even when a bison does not appear threatening.
Isom-McDaniel’s account focused on how quickly the situation changed. He said the animal gave no obvious sign of aggression while it was in the dirt, then suddenly came toward him after making eye contact.
His injuries show how violent a close encounter can become. CBS News reported that the broken femur required surgery, and Isom-McDaniel is still recovering in Montana.
From his hospital bed, he framed the story as a warning for other visitors. Keep space between yourself and bison, and do not count on outrunning one if it charges.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.