A man is sharing his story after he was thrown into the air by a bison while visiting Yellowstone National Park earlier this month. Carl Isom-McDaniel, 65, said the animal showed no obvious signs of aggression before the encounter. The incident, which was captured on video, quickly spread across social media.
Speaking in a video shared by Bozeman Health, Isom-McDaniel reflected on how serious the situation could have been. “He could have stomped me, he could have gored me, could have done anything,” he said. At the time of the attack, Isom-McDaniel was visiting the park with his 13-year-old grandson.
Photographer Captured the Dramatic Encounter
According to Isom-McDaniel, he intentionally tried to draw the bison’s attention away from his grandson so the teen could get to safety.
Photographer Mike MacLeod, who witnessed and photographed the incident, said Isom-McDaniel instructed his grandson to run back down the road toward the area they had just left.
“Carl told his grandson to run along the road and go back to the place where they had just come from while he lured the bison away,” MacLeod said. MacLeod added that he began making loud noises to distract the bison, causing the animal to change direction and move away.
Viral Video Highlights Wildlife Safety
The dramatic encounter has renewed conversations about the importance of keeping a safe distance from wildlife in national parks.
Although bison may appear calm, park officials have long warned that they can become unpredictable and charge if they feel threatened or their personal space is invaded.
Isom-McDaniel survived the encounter and is now sharing his experience as a reminder that wildlife should always be observed from a safe distance.