Six people were within 10 feet of bison when the animals charged. Two others were attempting to pet or feed a bison and two were throwing rocks or sticks at bison in misguided attempts to shepherd an animal into their photograph. All of the bison charges appeared to be defensive reactions to people who approached them too closely. A few of the charges may have been triggered when people walked up on bison without realizing it. The common denominator in all the cases is the close distance, Oliff said.
People don t understand that bison can be dangerous.
After a surge of bison gorings in the 1980s 13 in 1983, for instance, and 10 in 1985 rangers began distributing extra warning flyers to visitors at park entrance gates. Visitors must now stay at least 100 yards from bears, but only 75 feet from bison, elk, bighorn sheep and most other park wildlife. The Caslicks recommended that park officials change the rules to require a 100-yard minimum distance from bison to underscore the danger bison can pose. Olliff said park officials are considering such a revision, although it would not go into effect until next year at the earliest. He noted that bison often roam close enough to roads and trails that it might not always be practical for people to stay 100 yards away, but said such a rule would give law enforcement rangers the legal leverage to warn people away from bison if the conditions demanded it.