Theodore National Park, Badlands of North Dakota. (Photo: State of North Dakota)
MEDORA, N.D. (KFGO) – A Minnesota woman was severely injured by a bison over the weekend in Theodore Roosevelt National Park in southwestern North Dakota.
Park Rangers, Billings County sheriffs deputies and EMS responded to the incident near the Painted Canyon Trailhead around 11:00 a.m. Saturday. The woman was treated at the scene and then transported first by ambulance to a hospital in Dickinson then transferred to a hospital in Fargo. The woman sustained significant injuries to her abdomen and foot and is in serious but stable condition.
Park officials said the incident is still under investigation and the exact details of what occurred are not known at this time, but reminded visitors that bison are large, powerful, and wild and can turn quickly and can easily outrun humans. They said bulls can be particularly aggressive during the rutting season which typically runs from mid-July through August, and park visitors should use extra caution and give the animals additional space during this time.
Park regulations require that visitors stay at least 25 yards away from large animals such as bison, elk, deer, pronghorn, and horses.
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