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Nine-Year-Old Injured By Bison At Yellowstone National Park

Park regulations require people stay at least 25 yards from all wildlife including bison, elk and deer and at least 100 yards from wolves and bears. Disregarding those simple rules can lead to to fines, serious injury or death.
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Park regulations require people stay at least 25 yards from all wildlife including bison, elk and deer and at least 100 yards from wolves and bears. Disregarding those simple rules can lead to to fines, serious injury or death.

A nine-year-old girl was injured by a bison Monday in Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone officials say about 50 people were within 10 feet of the bison near Observation Point Trail in the Old Faithful Geyser area for at least 20 minutes before it charged the group. 

The bison charged the nine-year-old resident of Odessa, Fla. and tossed her in the air. Her family took her to the Old Faithful Lodge, where she was treated by park emergency medical providers, then to Old Faithful Clinic.

Park Spokesperson Jody Lyle says that the park often sees visitors come too close to wildlife.

“The animals here are truly wild and unpredictable, and so staying, an appropriate distance away from them is good for people’s safety, but also the safety of the animals.”

Yellowstone National Park advises visitors to stay at least 25 yards away from all large animals and at least 100 yards away from bears.

The incident is still under investigation.

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