12-year-old hospitalized after being injured by bison in Yellowstone National Park

A 12-year-old was in the hospital after an injury caused by a bison in Yellowstone National Park on Friday. 

Yellowstone National Park said the child was visiting the park when they were injured by a bison around 9:15 a.m. 

The incident reportedly happened near Mud Volcano and the child was taken to a local hospital for treatment of injuries. 

The severity of the injuries wasn’t disclosed.

This is the first reported bison attack in Yellowstone so far in 2026. 

In 2025, two people were gored by bison in separate incidents in May and June. 

In 2024, Yellowstone reported two other visitor-bison incidents, when a man was caught harassing a bison herd in April and was injured and a second person was injured in June 2024. 

Yellowstone reported one bison-related injury in 2023. 

Yellowstone said visitors are responsible for staying 25 yards away from wildlife like bison at all times, because animals can become aggressive on close approach. 

“Bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal. They are unpredictable, can run three times faster than humans and will defend their space when threatened,” the national park said. 

If an animal moves closer to you, back away to maintain a safe distance. 

The national park requires all conflict with animals to be reported to Yellowstone. 

Yellowstone National Park said the incident is under investigation.