Bison Slams Into Grandma Visiting Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is home to endless natural wonders and is teeming with all kinds of wildlife like bison and bears. When visiting the park, it's crucial to be respectful not just of the landscape, but of the animals that live there. That means keeping a safe distance if you find yourself in a creature's path.

One family visiting the park recently learned just how important it is to appreciate the natural beauty from a distance. The group of seven seemingly got too close to a bison, and the popular Instagram account Tourons of Yellowstone showed what happened next. One photo depicts the moment a bison slams headfirst into an elderly woman, presumably the grandmother of the group, while the next shows her lying on the ground on her back.

"You mess with the bull, you get the horns," the post's caption read.

The National Park Service has issued guidance on how to deal with a wild bison in Yellowstone if you find yourself in the vicinity of one. The most important thing to remember is to keep your distance—at least 25 yards, in fact.

"Give bison space when they are near a campsite, trail, boardwalk, parking lot, or in a developed area. If need be, turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in close proximity," the NPS said. "Approaching bison threatens them, and they may respond by bluff charging, head bobbing, pawing, bellowing, or snorting. These are warning signs that you are too close and that a charge is imminent."

If you end up visiting Yellowstone, it's probably best to snap any photos of wild animals from afar.