Bison Hilariously Traps Tourist in Bathroom at Yellowstone
Bison may seem like gentle, lumbering giants, but the animals are known for having unpredictable temperament and may attack without warning or apparent reason. And considering that American bison can weigh up to 3,000 pounds and run at speeds of 35 mph, you definitely do not want to be on the receiving end of their sharp horns.
Which is all to say that when a tourist at Yellowstone National Park inadvertently got trapped in a public bathroom due to a bison grazing just outside, he did just the right thing by staying put. However, the ensuing video footage is still admittedly hilarious to watch, as the poor guy could be seen peeking out the door, waiting for the creature to leave.
Video of the awkward encounter was initially shared to the popular Facebook group Yellowstone: Invasion of the Idiots back in July, but has continued to be circulated online well past the summer. Although, again, the poor fella could hardly be called an "idiot" considering he followed park rules by keeping his distance—even if it meant being trapped in a commode.
Taylor Caropolo, who captured the video, told Cowboy State Daily that not everyone had the same good sense, and that others attempted to approach the "massive" beast.
"One older lady got within a parking spot of him," he recalled. "Her grandkids were yelling at her to get back."
Linda Veress, a spokesperson for Yellowstone, commended the judgement of the trapped visitor. "He did the right thing by waiting for the bison to move away from the restroom," she explained. "The distance requirements remain the same."
Yellowstone regulations, similar to most national parks, require that visitors stay at least 25 yards away from all wildlife, such as bison, elk and deer; and at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves.
"Disregarding these regulations can result in fines, injury and even death," the National Park Service said in a statement over the summer, amid a rash of poor behavior from tourists interacting with wildlife. "The safety of these animals, as well as human safety, depends on everyone using good judgment and following these simple rules."
