Yellowstone tourist caught trying to pet bison after posing with it for vacation photos

It’s rutting season for bison in Yellowstone National Park, with hormones running high and tempers running high, but it seems some visitors just can’t resist the opportunity to get up close and personal with these massive animals, no matter the danger.

The latest example, shared this week on the Instagram account TouronsOfYellowstone, involves a woman who decided to approach a particularly large specimen to take close-up photos, then turned her back to pose with it. According to Aimee Lopez, who snapped some photos of the incident from the safety of her car, the visitor then went even further and tried to pet the animal.

“These pictures were taken yesterday in Yellowstone,” Lopez wrote online. “It got worse, she tried to pet him. At that point I got on the road and called a ranger.”

According to the National Park Service (NPS), bison are the most dangerous animals in Yellowstone, causing more injuries than predators like bears and wolves. Just a few weeks ago, an 83-year-old woman was seriously injured after being gored by a bison in the park. Rangers say the animal was acting in self-defense when it went on a rampage.

“The bison, defending its space, approached within a few feet of the woman and lifted her about a foot off the ground with its horns,” an NPS spokesperson said after the incident.

Officials also took the opportunity to remind the public to respect the park’s animals. “Visitors: It is your responsibility to respect safety rules and observe wildlife from a safe distance,” they said. “Stay away from animals if they approach you.”

Be aware of bison

Approaching or distracting wildlife in U.S. national parks is a federal crime, and those convicted can face heavy fines and even prison time.

The NPS warns visitors to stay at least 25 yards (23 meters) from bison and elk at all times, and 100 yards (93 meters) from wolves and bears.

The safest way to observe wildlife is to stay in your car, using a zoom lens or a pair of binoculars to get a good view. If you are driving, stop only at designated rest areas for wildlife viewing. Do not stop on the road as this will block traffic.

For more tips, check out our guides How to Avoid Getting Gored by a Bison and Wildlife Safety: Eight Tips for Surprise Encounters.