Visitor Witnesses Heartbreaking Death of Bison Immersed in Boiling Spring at Yellowstone Park
Chilling Incident at Yellowstone: A bison met a tragic end after accidentally stumbling into a hot spring at the famous park last week. The incident unfolded during the wee hours of June 21, at Grand Prismatic Spring near Old Faithful, a popular tourist spot. Witnesses and a park spokesperson confirmed the incident.
Visitors witnessed two bison lounging near the spring, offering a perfect photo opportunity for Louise Howard from Colorado, visiting Yellowstone for the first time. One of the bison, seemingly intrigued, began walking towards the spring and seemed to step into a shallow part, only to quickly withdraw. Within 30 seconds, the bison started walking again but stumbled at the spring's edge and plunged into the scalding water. Despite its best efforts, the bison was unable to free itself. Howard shared chilling photos of the incident on social media.
Hot Spring Dangers are Not Stranger Than Fiction
Michael Poland, the scientist-in-charge at the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory and a geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, explained that while it is not uncommon for animals to fall into hot springs, this incident was unique because it happened in summer, during daytime, and at one of the park's most frequented areas. Usually, the crusts around the springs conceal the boiling water beneath, and animals often fall in while venturing too close to the edge.
Poland assured visitors that the water in Yellowstone hot springs is not highly acidic; instead, it's alarmingly hot. The boiling point at the park is close to 200 degrees Fahrenheit due to the high altitude. Visitors can determine the temperature of the springs by observing the color of the bacteria near the edges. Warmer colors indicate hotter temperatures, with the reds preferring warm but not scalding water, yellows signifying hotter conditions, greens indicating even hotter temperatures, and blues indicating the water is almost boiling—a condition visibly close to the park's actual boiling temperature.
This Is Nature, Front and Center
While the incident is upsetting, it serves as a sobering reminder for visitors to heed park regulations, stay on boardwalks, and maintain appropriate distances from wildlife. Millions of tourists visit Yellowstone annually, drawn by the park's rich and diverse wildlife. Common sightings include bison, elk, bears, wolves, moose, mountain goats, and mountain lions. Straying from designated paths risks injury from hot springs or wildlife and potentially harms the landscape.
Katie Kirtzel, a visitor from Utah, shared her family's harrowing encounter with the bison's remains later that day. They spotted eerie animal prints and, as the mist cleared, they saw a massive, unidentifiable animal near the spring. Kirtzel described the experience as profound and unique, a chilling reminder of the park's raw, natural beauty.
Lucia I Suarez Sang is an associate managing editor at ourNews.com. Previously, Lucia worked as the director of digital content at FOX61 News in Connecticut and has written for outlets such as FoxNews.com, Fox News Latino, and the Rutland Herald.
Important Safety Precautions when Observing Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park:
- Maintain a safe distance from all wildlife. The recommended minimum distance is 25 yards (23 meters) from all animals and at least 100 yards (91 meters) from dangerous species such as bears, wolves, and cougars.
- Use zoom lenses for photography instead of approaching animals closely. Approaching animals can provoke attacks and may require rangers to euthanize the animal for public safety.
- Carry bear spray as a non-lethal deterrent since Yellowstone is bear habitat.
- Stay on designated trails and boardwalks to avoid thermal hazards and potential falls.
- Follow traffic and parking rules to ensure the free flow of traffic for other visitors and emergency services.
- Be prepared for crowds and plan visits accordingly, especially during the busy summer season.
By adhering to these safety guidelines, visitors can enjoy Yellowstone's unique wildlife and geothermal features while minimizing risks to themselves, the park's ecosystem, and the animals.
- The unfortunate incident involving a bison at Yellowstone National Park serves as a timely reminder for visitors to be aware of the unique dangers posed by hot springs, even during the summer season.
- To ensure a safe and enjoyable visit to Yellowstone, it's important for tourists to follow important safety precautions when observing wildlife, including maintaining a safe distance, staying on designated paths, and carrying bear spray.
