This year’s Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was held in Custer State Park, South Dakota. A group of bikers got together to cruise through the scenic landscape in a state where mask and physical distancing policies aren’t heavily mandated.
They couldn’t believe their luck when they came across a herd of wild bison crossing the road, and all got out their cameras to capture the moment.
But one woman was being a little too bold, and getting uncomfortably close to the wild animals.
All visitors to Custer State Park are warned with brochures, posters, signs, and other communications about how important it is to stay away from the wildlife.
Physical distancing isn’t just for COVID!
Other members of her group were growing concerned as the 54-year-old woman from Iowa continued to move in closer and closer for the perfect photo. She was risking it all for a photo of a cute baby bison.
She took one step over the invisible line the calf’s mother had been keeping an eye on – and that was enough. The fully grown bison came charging at her, lifting her off her feet and tossing her to the ground.
Onlookers were shocked and had to watch helplessly as the woman was thrown around by the 2,000 lb animal.
Somewhere along the lines, her jeans came clean off her body. She was literally knocked out of her pants!
The same is true for every species of animal… mamas don’t put up with anything when it comes to the safety of their children!
Once the mama bison felt she had made her point and that justice had been served, she went galloping off with her baby and the rest of the herd.
Still with the woman’s pants attached to her horn.
One man was able to track the pants down and retrieve the woman’s keys that had been lost along with them.
It’s pretty lucky that she was able to get them back!
Witnesses of the event ran to help the stricken woman as soon as the bison walked away. She was airlifted to a hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. She escaped life threatening injury, and many say she is lucky to be alive.
We’re certainly happy she’s okay!
This isn’t the first time a story like this has come to light. Tourists often get a little bit too brave when on vacation and they see wildlife.
As an average total across all of America’s National Parks, they’ve reported that six people die every week. Sometimes that’s related to a car accident or health condition. But numbers of people getting too close to a cliff or to a wild animal for the best picture, are going up.
Some people have even started taunting wildlife, like this man in Yellowstone National Park.
Don’t worry, he survived as well.
But experts are urging people to stop playing with their lives.
“Stop this nonsense. These are wild animals.” Ron McGill, of Zoo Miami weighed in on the story.
He explained (what we already know and apparently sometimes choose to ignore) that these animals are unpredictable.
He also pointed out that bison in particular are dangerous because you don’t get any warning that they’re agitated. An attack can happen at a moment’s notice.
“A bison might be grazing and then in a split second turn on you like that.”
If one good thing can come from this harrowing situation, it will hopefully be that it spreads some awareness and acts as a wake up call for anyone who still thinks approaching wildlife is a safe activity.
Watch the crazy moment with your own eyes by clicking below!
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