Yellowstone bison gores 12-year-old near Mud Volcano

JACKSON (WNE) — A bison injured a 12-year-old Yellowstone National Park visitor Friday.

The child is the first person to be injured by one of the free-roaming ungulates this year. Almost every year, bison injure, or “gore,” at least one Yellowstone visitor.

“The visitor sustained injuries, and emergency medical personnel transported them to a nearby hospital,” a park press release said. “The incident remains under investigation.”

The child was injured near Mud Volcano, north of Fishing Bridge.

Yellowstone visitors are no strangers to bison gorings. Bison have injured more people in the park than any other animal, according to the National Park Service. There have been at least eight bison gorings in the park since 2022.

Last summer, two people were gored by bison, according to Yellowstone. The first, a man from Cape Coral, Florida, sustained minor injuries after approaching a bison too closely. The second, a 30-year-old man from New Jersey, also got too close to a bison. He sustained minor injuries and was transported by emergency medical personnel.

The Friday injury is the second high-profile human-wildlife conflict in Yellowstone this year. 

On May 4, two hikers were mauled by one or more bears on the Mystic Falls Trail near Old Faithful. The attack caused the first bear-related injury incident since September 2025, according to the Park Service.

Wildlife is often unpredictable, and can be aggressive when visitors invade their space. Park regulations require visitors to maintain at least 25 yards of space from bison, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, deer and coyotes. Visitors are also required to maintain at least a 100-yard distance from bears and wolves.

This story was published on June 27, 2026. 

Ensure These Stories Are Told

Despite the challenges facing independent local journalism, what sustains us — and fills us with deep gratitude — is the loyal support of readers who believe our communities deserve accurate, trusted, and locally rooted news.

It is no exaggeration to say that we are here because of you. Every story we report, every local issue we follow, every public meeting we cover, and every community voice we lift up is made possible by readers who understand the value of an independent newspaper.

Your support does more than fund articles. It helps protect the independence that allows us to report honestly, ask important questions, and keep our community informed without fear or favor.

If you are able, please consider supporting the News Letter Journal by donating to our Unabridged Fund today. Whether your gift helps cover reporting time, printing costs, video, photography, editing, or distribution, every contribution helps keep local journalism strong in Wyoming.

All gifts are deeply appreciated. Your support helps ensure that local stories continue to be told, local decisions continue to be watched, and local voices continue to be heard.

Thank you for standing with independent community journalism.