Tourist Launched 8 Feet into Air by Raging Bison (Video)

A Yellowstone tourist was violently launched into the air by a massive bull bison in a terrifying attack caught on camera at one of America’s most famous national parks.

The unidentified man was reportedly walking with his grandson at Bridge Bay Campground in Yellowstone National Park on Friday when the huge animal suddenly charged, according to Cowboy State Daily.

Video of the shocking encounter shows the man trying to escape around a small group of pine trees before the powerful bison barrels toward him. Seconds later, the animal slams into the older, bearded tourist and sends him flying roughly 8 feet into the air like a ragdoll.

The bison had reportedly been taking a dust bath just moments before the attack.

Montana-based photographer Mike MacLeod, who captured the dramatic footage, told Cowboy State Daily that he had been filming the animal because it appeared to be acting up. But he said he never expected the encounter to turn so violent.

“I was just trying to get some dramatic footage of that bison having a fit,” MacLeod said. “It’s changed my idea of what to expect from these guys at this time of year, because I would not have predicted that happening.”

According to MacLeod, the bison had begun moving through the campground when it approached a group of children who were taking photos with their cellphones from what he described as a safe distance.

“He started walking through the campground. He was coming up to this group of kids, who were taking pictures on their cellphones from a good distance away, and then the buffalo charged these kids,” MacLeod said.

As the situation escalated, MacLeod said he stopped filming and stepped in, fearing the bison might gore the man after knocking him to the ground.

“I had to get the bison’s attention,” he said. “I was really afraid he was going to gore the guy on the ground, so I stopped videotaping and ran at the bison, yelled loud, and was trying to be as big and intimidating as possible.”

Once the animal finally moved away, MacLeod and several other people rushed to help the injured tourist.

The man was reportedly in significant pain, especially around his hips and the leg he landed on. However, those helping him did not immediately see any visible bleeding or external injuries.

“One guy held his hand. Another guy pulled security on the outside to make sure that the bison didn’t come back. A gal in a car was on the phone with 911, and another gal did a blood sweep, but we couldn’t find any blood,” MacLeod said.

No official update has been released on the man’s condition.

MacLeod said he believes the bison may have attacked because it was feeling territorial during rutting season, which typically runs from June through September. During that time, male bison can become more aggressive as they compete for dominance and access to females.

“You can tell he was agitated, pissed off, and charging anything and everything,” MacLeod said.

The frightening incident is another reminder that Yellowstone’s iconic bison may look calm from a distance, but they are still massive, unpredictable wild animals capable of causing serious injury in seconds.