parks
Video shows bison chasing and flipping grandfather 8 feet into the air at Yellowstone
By Danielle Abreu at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC)
· July 13, 2026
· 2 min read
A bull bison charged at visitors at a campsite in Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park on Friday, hooking and tossing a grandfather 8 feet into the air.
The terrifying encounter was captured by a professional photographer who said the animal appeared “agitated.”
Mike MacLeod told NBC News th...
Key takeaway ” Mike MacLeod told NBC News the 65-year-old man and his grandson were taking photos of the bison from a distance when the animal got up and bolted in their direction.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
For Los Angeles residents who enjoy visiting national parks, the recent bison attack at Yellowstone serves as a stark reminder of the importance of respecting wildlife boundaries. While this incident occurred outside of California, it has implications for locals who plan to visit Yellowstone or other national parks with wild animals. The fact that the attack happened during rutting season, a time of heightened aggression among male bison, underscores the need for visitors to be aware of the animals' behavior and follow park guidelines, such as maintaining a safe distance of at least 25 yards from bison. As Angelenos plan their summer vacations, they should take heed of Yellowstone's warnings and exercise caution when encountering wildlife in national parks, recognizing that even from a distance, these animals can pose a significant threat to human safety. This awareness can help prevent similar incidents in the future.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: July 13, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A bull bison charged at visitors at a campsite in Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park on Friday, hooking and tossing a grandfather 8 feet into the air.
The terrifying encounter was captured by a professional photographer who said the animal appeared “agitated.”
Mike MacLeod told NBC News th...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 13, 2026 by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Danielle Abreu at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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