Over the weekend, two separate incidents involving bison attacks left women injured in national parks. The first occurred on Saturday at Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. Park officials reported that a Minnesota woman suffered significant abdominal and foot injuries after an encounter with a bison near the Painted Canyon Trailhead. Emergency responders treated her at the scene before transporting her to a hospital in Dickinson, and later to a facility in Fargo. She is currently listed in serious but stable condition. The details surrounding the attack remain under investigation.

A second incident unfolded Monday morning at Yellowstone National Park, where a 47-year-old woman from Phoenix, Arizona, was gored by a bison. She sustained serious injuries to her chest and abdomen and required airlift to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. According to reports, the woman was walking with a companion when they encountered two bison. As they turned to leave, one bison charged. The exact proximity of the pair to the bison at the time of the charge is still unclear.

These incidents come shortly after a video surfaced showing a tourist at Yellowstone taking a selfie dangerously close to a bison in May. Last summer saw three bison goring incidents in Yellowstone within a single month. Bison are known to be the most frequent cause of injuries from wildlife in the park. Park officials emphasize the importance of maintaining a safe distance from wildlife, recommending at least 25 yards from large animals like bison and elk, and 100 yards from predators like bears and wolves. Bison are known for their unpredictable behavior, speed, and ability to quickly change direction. Warning signs of an impending charge include bluff charging, head bobbing, pawing, bellowing, and snorting. Visitors should exercise particular caution during mating season, which extends through mid-August, as bison can be more easily agitated during this period.