---
title: "12-Year-Old Hurt by a Bison at Yellowstone, the Park's First Such Injury This Year"
description: "A 12-year-old was injured by a bison near Mud Volcano in Yellowstone National Park and taken to a hospital — the park's first reported bison injury of 2026, and a reminder of how dangerous its most familiar animals can be."
category: "U.S."
category_url: https://herald.la/category/us
author: "Simone Bishop"
published: 2026-06-28T02:38:36.000Z
updated: 2026-06-28T02:38:36.000Z
canonical: https://herald.la/article/12-year-old-hurt-by-a-bison-at-yellowstone-the-park-s-first-such-injury-this-yea
tags: ["Yellowstone", "bison", "national parks", "wildlife safety", "National Park Service"]
---
# 12-Year-Old Hurt by a Bison at Yellowstone, the Park's First Such Injury This Year

A 12-year-old was injured by a bison near Mud Volcano in Yellowstone National Park and taken to a hospital — the park's first reported bison injury of 2026, and a reminder of how dangerous its most familiar animals can be.

A 12-year-old visitor was injured by a bison in Yellowstone National Park on Friday morning and taken to a hospital, park officials said — the first such injury recorded in the park this year.

## What happened

The encounter occurred near Mud Volcano, just north of the Fishing Bridge area, at about 9:15 a.m. on June 26, [Cowboy State Daily reported](https://cowboystatedaily.com/2026/06/26/12-year-old-visitor-hurt-by-yellowstone-bison-sent-to-hospital/). The National Park Service said in a brief statement that the child "sustained injuries" and was transported to a nearby hospital by emergency medical personnel. The nature and severity of the injuries were not disclosed, and officials said the incident was under investigation.

The specific circumstances — including how close the child or the group was to the animal — were not released. One wildlife expert told Cowboy State Daily that bison encounters typically come down to "people getting too close," while cautioning that he could not speak to the details of this case.

## Why bison are so dangerous

Bison are the largest land animals in North America, with bulls weighing up to a ton, and despite their placid appearance they can pivot and charge at speeds far faster than a person can run. The [National Park Service warns](https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/safety.htm) that bison "have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal."

Park rules require visitors to stay at least 25 yards (about 23 meters) from bison, elk and other large animals, and at least 100 yards from bears and wolves. Officials advise using binoculars or a telephoto lens to view wildlife, and backing away to restore the required distance if an animal approaches. Getting too close is not just dangerous — it is a federal violation that can bring a fine.

## A seasonal pattern

Most bison injuries in Yellowstone happen during the busy summer season, when crowds swell and the animals graze near roads and popular trailheads. The corridor around Mud Volcano and Fishing Bridge, where the herd often feeds in open meadows beside the Grand Loop Road, is a frequent spot for close encounters.

The child's condition had not been updated as of Friday evening. Park officials repeated their standard guidance: treat every animal as potentially dangerous, no matter how calm it seems, and keep your distance.

## Sources

- [12-year-old visitor hurt by Yellowstone bison, sent to hospital](https://cowboystatedaily.com/2026/06/26/12-year-old-visitor-hurt-by-yellowstone-bison-sent-to-hospital/)
- [Yellowstone wildlife safety](https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/safety.htm)