A WOMAN was left seriously injured after she was gored by a bison in Yellowstone National Park.
The female tourist, who has not been named but who is described as a 72-year-old California native, was attempting to take pictures of the animals when she was rushed by a wild bison.
In a statement issued by the park, a spokesperson confirmed she sustained "multiple goring wounds" after approaching "within 10 feet of a bison multiple times to take its photo".
The woman was taken to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center via helicopter to receive treatment for her injuries, and her condition is unknown.
The incident occurred on the evening of 25 June at the women's campsite at Bridge Bay Campground in the park which draws more than 4 million visitors each year.
Yellowstone's Senior Bison Biologist, Chris Geremia, said in a statement that the incident should be a cautionary tale to anyone thinking about approaching the wild animals.
“The series of events that led to the goring suggest the bison was threatened by being repeatedly approached to within 10 feet,” the biologist said.
Bison in Yellowstone National Park (Getty)"Bison are wild animals that respond to threats by displaying aggressive behaviours like pawing the ground, snorting, bobbing their head, bellowing, and raising their tail," he continued.
"If that doesn’t make the threat --in this instance it was a person-- move away, a threatened bison may charge.
"To be safe around bison, stay at least 25 yards away, move away if they approach, and run away or find cover if they charge.”
Officials at the park have reiterated their safety protocols for visitors to the park, including to stay at least 25 yards from all large animals including bison, elk, deer, moose and coyotes, and at least 100 yards from predators such as bears and wolves.
They advise to turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in close proximity if need be.
The bison attack incident is under investigation.
