The 65-year-old grandfather who was violently thrown into the air by a bison in Yellowstone National Park has been identified as Carl Isom McDaniel of Washington state. The dramatic attack left him with several broken bones after the animal attacked while he was with his grandson near Bridge Bay Campground.
Despite the severity of his injuries, Carl reportedly remained conscious, remained in good spirits, and even cracked jokes while waiting for emergency responders. The incident, captured on video by a nearby photographer, has renewed interest in the dangers of getting close to wildlife during Yellowstone’s busy summer season and the importance of following the park’s safety guidelines.
Who is Carl Isom McDaniel? 65-year-old grandfather was attacked by a Yellowstone bison
Carl Isom McDaniel is a 65-year-old Washington state resident who was injured in a bison attack in Yellowstone.
He was visiting the national park with his grandson when the accident occurred. According to witness Mike McLeod, the pair were photographing the bison when the animal suddenly stood up and lunged. Carl suffered the brunt of the attack, while his grandson managed to get out of the animal’s way.The attack happened near Bridge Bay Campground in Yellowstone National Park. Witness Mike McLeod, who filmed the incident, said the bull appeared agitated before the attack.
According to his account, the animal had already shown aggressive behavior by confronting other visitors and even a passing vehicle before heading towards Karl and his grandson.McLeod said Carl tried to move behind nearby trees as the bison approached, but the animal reached out to him, hooked him with one of its antlers and launched him several feet into the air. The bison remained close to Carl after landing, and displayed aggressive behavior before bystanders screamed and moved towards him, causing the animal to retreat.
What injuries did Carl suffer?
The attack left Carl with multiple broken bones and a painful injury to his leg. Despite the seriousness of his condition, eyewitnesses said that he remained conscious throughout the incident. Paramedics later transferred him to the hospital for treatment.McLeod told the New York Times that Carl remained remarkably calm despite his injuries.“He had severe pain in his leg, was otherwise conscious the whole time, and was joking in good spirits.”The incident occurred during mating season, when bison become more territorial and aggressive. During this period, male bison often react unpredictably to people, vehicles, and other animals that they perceive as a threat.McLeod said the bull seemed unusually agitated and was lunging at anything in its path before confronting Carl.According to McLeod, it does not appear that Carl and his grandson were intentionally approaching the bison.
He said the couple appeared to be observing the animal from a reasonable distance when it lunged at them unexpectedly.The National Park Service has not publicly stated that the visitors violated park regulations, and the exact distance between them and the bison has not been confirmed.
Yellowstone Safety Guidelines
Yellowstone National Park advises visitors to stay at least 25 yards (23 m) away from bison, elk, and other large animals, and at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves.
Visitors are also advised to never approach wildlife, even if the animals appear calm, and to move away immediately if the animal changes its behavior or begins to approach.Bison may seem slow, but they can weigh up to 2,000 pounds (about 900 kg) and run at speeds of 35 mph (56 km/h), making them one of the most dangerous land animals in the park.
Bison encounters are extremely dangerous
Bison are responsible for more visitor injuries in Yellowstone than any other land animal.
Their enormous size, speed, and unpredictable behavior, especially during breeding season, make a close encounter extremely risky.Park officials regularly remind visitors that bison are wild animals and are not tourist attractions. Even experienced photographers and wildlife watchers are encouraged to keep a safe distance, as animals can charge without warning if they feel threatened or disturbed.
