Notes from the Field: Injuries Associated with Bison Encounters - Yellowstone National Park, 2015

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2016 Mar 25;65(11):293-4. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6511a5.

Abstract

Since 1980, bison have injured more pedestrian visitors to Yellowstone National Park (Yellowstone) than any other animal (1). After the occurrence of 33 bison-related injuries during 1983-1985 (range = 10-13/year), the park implemented successful outreach campaigns (1) to reduce the average number of injuries to 0.8/year (range = 0-2/year) during 2010-2014 (unpublished data, National Park Service, September 2015). During May-July 2015, five injuries associated with bison encounters occurred (Table). Case reports were reviewed to evaluate circumstances surrounding these injuries to inform prevention.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Bison*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parks, Recreational*
  • Pedestrians*
  • Photography
  • Wounds and Injuries / epidemiology*
  • Wyoming / epidemiology
  • Young Adult