The Wildlife in National Parks is… Wild
June 28, 2008
Photo by Moose (zoom lens from inside a vehicle)
A 12 year old Pennsylvania boy was airlifted to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center after sustaining injuries from an encounter with a bull bison in Yellowstone National Park. Witness report that the boy and his family were posing for photographs within 2 feet of the mature bull despite the well publicized rules and bystanders warning that they were way to close. 2 freaking feet!!! The park rules are 25 yards. The bull reportedly tossed the boy approximately 10 feet in the air. The injuries appeared to be the result of the fall mostly abrasions and small cuts but he was also complaining of abdominal pain and why he was airlifted out. Authorities have not released the name of the boy or his family or any additional information of where they live other then to say they are from Pennsylvania.
I’ve seen people ignore these rules a number of times in National Parks across the country. Its one thing when it’s adults that are acting irresponsibility but another thing when they put children in harms way. In my experience to many people assume that animals like moose, deer, elk, and bison are tame or docile which they can appear to be but they are wild animals.
Story & photo by Dan McLaughlin AKA Moose
Moose Droppings is a place that chronicles my journey, Ill explore new places and ideas Ill learn new things and Ill teach the things Ive learned to others. Join me on the adventure and hopefully it will help you in your outdoor endeavors.
What a beautiful picture. What an ugly story.
Sometimes I think kids should be removed from the ill-prepared parents, so
as to give the child a fighting chance out there. Stupid decisions are one
thing, not realizing a decision should be made, is quite another. Isn’t it
stupid to let your child near wild animals? Is it stupid to call wild animals
momma and daddy and baby? Is it stupid to think the animals have houses
to live in(although they haven’t mastered the lock and key, yet)? Is it stupid to think we should stop killing—-everything? I wonder if it’s stupid
to make my friend move so the animals will be alright? Or if it’s stupid to
take my other friend’s home so the better good can have enough room?
Stupid is as stupid does. If stupid were a desease, what then? The boy
tossed by the bison is certainly safer than watching television. At least
you can see what has happened to him.
Keep taking the kids out in the wilds to see all of lifes gifts but keep an
eye on them, Dad and Mom. That’s why they call it the Wild.
I’ve seen it happen too. People seem to think wild animals that live in national parks are show animals, there to be touched and petted and photgraphed. A wild animal is always a wild animal, whether its in a park or a zoo or in the wild.
Growing up around even domestic animals, I had a great respect for the large creatures – because after all, I don’t care how domestic a two thousand pound bull is, I did’t want him to have a “moment” that cost me my life. To not respect a WILD animal is just beyond stupid. I guess, growing up around animals – both wild and domestic – we just assume that people would be smart enough to realize the danger that an animal that size poses. Except, I don’t think it should take someone who has grown up around animals to realize a bison is dangerous – those parents are lacking in brain power. I hope the child recovers fully – and I hope everyone involved learned their lesson.
I hope the kid is alright and that this story gets some publicity so other people won’t make the same mistake.
[...] I ran across an interesting article in the Salt Lake Tribune on how to survive encounters with wildlife. They cover the wildlife native to their part of the country but much applies to a large part of the United States. Check it out and maybe you’ll walk away from your next photo op with a buffalo. [...]