Custer State Park, South Dakota — A tragic wildlife encounter in South Dakota has left a 70-year-old woman dead after a bison suddenly charged her during a hike with her husband on a popular trail inside Custer State Park.
Authorities say the fatal attack happened on May 18 along the Grace Coolidge Trail, where the couple had been hiking when they encountered multiple bison on the path.
Couple Encountered Herd During Hike
According to reports, the woman and her husband initially came across a group of approximately five bull bison while walking the trail.
The couple reportedly attempted to avoid disturbing the animals by maintaining a distance of roughly 500 yards and waiting for the herd to move further along the trail before continuing their hike.
After the bison disappeared from sight, the pair resumed walking. However, moments later, they rounded a corner and encountered another group of bison about 50 yards away.
Authorities said the couple again stopped and waited as the animals slowly moved away down the trail.
Bison Suddenly Charged Woman
Investigators say the situation turned deadly when one bison unexpectedly separated from the group and charged toward the woman.
According to officials, the animal struck her violently, hooking her before tossing her into the air during the attack.
Emergency responders were called to the scene, but the woman later died from the severe injuries she suffered during the encounter.
Her identity has not yet been publicly released.
The shocking incident has once again raised concerns about the dangers of close encounters with large wildlife in national and state parks.
Officials Monitoring Bison Activity
Following the attack, park officials confirmed that staff members removed the bison from the immediate area and began monitoring the animal’s behavior.
“Staff have moved the bison from the area and are actively monitoring the animal’s behavior to ensure public safety and prevent future incidents,” GFP spokesperson Nick Harrington told KELO.
Officials explained that dry conditions throughout the park have caused bison to spread into different areas, increasing the chances of encounters with hikers and visitors.
Visitors Urged to Stay Alert on Trails
Park officials are now reminding hikers to remain cautious and alert while exploring trails where wildlife may be present.
“Hikers are encouraged to make noise as they are on the trails, be mindful when rounding corners or coming across a ridge, and to keep pets on a leash,” Harrington said.
He also emphasized the importance of respecting wildlife and maintaining a safe distance at all times.
“It’s important to remember that bison are wild animals and need to be treated as such. Visitors are reminded to keep their distance from all wild animals and safely enjoy both the trails and wildlife within the park,” he added.
Previous Bison Incident Reported Earlier This Month
Officials also revealed that this was not the first recent bison-related incident inside the park.
According to Harrington, a 22-year-old hiker was struck by a bison earlier this month near Center Lake at Custer State Park.
“Was struck by the buffalo on the back of her legs and was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries,” he told the outlet.
Bison are considered the largest land mammals in North America and can weigh up to 2,000 pounds while standing as tall as 6 feet. Despite their massive size, they are capable of running up to 35 miles per hour, making them extremely dangerous during sudden encounters.
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