WATCH: Viral Video captures bull bison tossing 65-year-old tourist 8 feet into the air at Yellowstone National Park

A dramatic viral video captured a terrifying moment at Yellowstone National Park when an enraged, 2,000lb (900kg) bull bison tossed a 65-year-old tourist about 8 feet into the air during a close encounter on Friday. The incident occurred after the visitor reportedly got too close to the wild animal, despite repeated safety warnings from park officials. Witnesses watched in shock as the powerful bison charged and launched the tourist before moving away. The visitor sustained injuries and received medical attention. The incident serves as another reminder that Yellowstone's wildlife can be unpredictable, and visitors should always keep a safe distance from animals for their own safety. The tourist was reportedly seriously injured after being tossed up by the bison while he was walking with his grandson through the Bridge Bay Campground, located south of Fishing Bridge in Yellowstone National Park.


According to The Guardian, professional photographer Mike MacLeod of Bozeman, Montana, described the incident in an interview with Wyoming's Cowboy State Daily. MacLeod said he was camping with his wife at the Bridge Bay Campground when she noticed the bull bison approaching the area, moments before the frightening encounter unfolded. MacLeod said the bull bison continued moving through the campground as campers shouted warnings and screamed to alert one another. He recalled that the tourist who was later tossed into the air appeared to be walking down the road while the bison was resting in the dust nearby.


"He was sitting in the dust, like bison do, with his head facing the road," MacLeod said as quoted by The Guardian.


Video of the incident shows the grandfather and his grandson taking out their cellphones to record the bison from what appeared to be dozens of yards away. Moments later, the animal stood up, and the encounter quickly turned dangerous. The grandson managed to escape while the bison chased his grandfather around some trees and flipped him.

According to the outlet, MacLeod said the injured man's grandson told him that his grandfather had some pretty significant injuries and is not out of the woods yet.

Yellowstone National Park officials warn on the park's website that its animals are wild and dangerous, no matter how docile they may appear to be. Visitors are advised to view wildlife from a safe distance, with the safest option being from inside a vehicle whenever possible. The incident occurred during the bison rutting, or mating, season. During this time of year, male bison are more aggressive as they compete to display their strength and stamina for the chance to mate with bison cow, making close encounters especially dangerous.