parks
Video shows bison chasing and flipping grandfather 8 feet into the air at Yellowstone
By Danielle Abreu at NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC)
· July 13, 2026
· 2 min read
A bull bison charged at visitors at a campsite in Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park on Friday, hooking and tossing a grandfather 8 feet into the air.
The terrifying encounter was captured by a professional photographer who said the animal appeared “agitated.”
Mike MacLeod told NBC News th...
Key takeaway ” Mike MacLeod told NBC News the 65-year-old man and his grandson were taking photos of the bison from a distance when the animal got up and bolted in their direction.
Why this matters in The San Francisco
The disturbing incident at Yellowstone National Park serves as a stark reminder to San Francisco residents who enjoy visiting national parks to exercise caution around wildlife. As a community that values outdoor recreation, it's crucial for Bay Area visitors to be aware of the risks associated with interacting with wild animals, even in controlled environments. The fact that the bison was able to charge at visitors in a campsite, despite warnings from park officials, raises questions about the effectiveness of safety measures in place. San Francisco residents planning to visit Yellowstone or other national parks should take heed of the park's warnings to stay at least 25 yards away from bison and other wildlife, and be mindful of their surroundings, especially during periods of heightened aggression like rutting season. By being informed and vigilant, visitors can minimize their risk of encountering a similar terrifying situation.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) . The San Francisco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: July 13, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A bull bison charged at visitors at a campsite in Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park on Friday, hooking and tossing a grandfather 8 feet into the air.
The terrifying encounter was captured by a professional photographer who said the animal appeared “agitated.”
Mike MacLeod told NBC News th...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 13, 2026 by NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) and curated for The San Francisco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Danielle Abreu at NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC). To learn more about how The San Francisco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The San Francisco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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