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An 83-year-old woman from South Carolina suffered serious injuries after she was gored by a bison in Yellowstone National Park.
The encounter happened on Saturday near the Storm Point Trail at Yellowstone Lake, according to a release from the National Park Service.
Wildlife officials say the bison was “defending its space” and came within a few feet of the woman before lifting her about one-foot off the ground with its horns.
The woman suffered serious injuries and was transported to a nearby medical clinic by park rangers before being airlifted to an Idaho hospital. Her conditions is unclear at this time.
The violent encounter is currently under investigation by the NPS.
A bison walks through a meadow near the Midway Geyser Basin area of Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming on August 22, 2018. (Getty Images)
Officials say it is always the responsibility of park visitors to respect and observe safety regulations and view wildlife from a safe distance.
A minimum of 25 yards should be kept at all time between a person and large animals such as bison, elk and moose, and visitors must move away if wildlife encroach on that space.
Numerous signs are posted at the park warning about the dangers of getting too close to the national park’s unique fauna.
Bison in particularly have injured more people in Yellowstone National Park than any other animals. They are not aggressive animals but are considered “unpredictable” and will defend their space when threatened, park officials said.
A male adult bison can weigh anywhere from 1,000 pounds to 2,200 pounds and are capable of running at speed three-times faster than a human.
For more information about safely visiting Yellowstone, click here.