Updated

Updated · Fox News · Jul 24

Yellowstone Bison Pops Tourist Vehicle Tire in Viral Video as Park Warns After 8-Foot Toss

Updated

Updated · Fox News · Jul 24

Yellowstone Bison Pops Tourist Vehicle Tire in Viral Video as Park Warns After 8-Foot Toss

Q: A 2,000-pound bison just popped a car tire in Yellowstone, but what hidden summer danger makes these encounters even deadlier?

The hidden summer danger is Yellowstone’s bison rut, the breeding season from roughly June through September, with peak activity in July and August, when bulls become far more aggressive and unpredictable. That matters because a bison encounter that might already be risky can turn far more dangerous during the rut. Male bison can weigh up to 2,000 pounds, run about 35 mph—roughly three times faster than humans—and react suddenly to vehicles, people, or other bulls. Recent Yellowstone incidents, including a visitor tossed into the air near Bridge Bay Campground, have been linked to this seasonal surge in aggression. Wildlife experts and park officials warn that summer also brings larger herd concentrations and more “bison jams,” increasing the odds of close contact on roads and in popular viewing areas such as Hayden and Lamar valleys. Bulls may bellow, wallow, paw the ground, shake their heads, or charge with little warning if they feel challenged or crowded. The safest response is distance and patience. Yellowstone advises visitors to stay at least 25 yards from bison, remain inside vehicles during road encounters, never block an animal’s path, and back away if a bison approaches. Binoculars or zoom lenses are safer than trying to get close for photos. So while the viral tire-popping video looked funny, the more serious story is that summer rut season makes bison encounters significantly more volatile—and potentially deadly.

Q: Could your next park visit end in a terrifying wildlife attack if you make this one common driving mistake?

Yes. One common driving mistake that can turn a wildlife sighting into a dangerous encounter is honking at bison or trying to push them off the road. The viral Yellowstone video, in which a bison appeared to puncture a tourist vehicle’s tire, fits a broader safety pattern park officials have warned about for years: bison are unpredictable, can weigh up to 2,000 pounds, and can run roughly three times faster than humans. Yellowstone says bison have injured more people there than any other animal. Park guidance is clear that if bison are on the road, drivers should stay inside their vehicles, wait patiently, and avoid honking or aggressive driving. Honking can agitate bison, which may interpret it as a threat and respond by charging, striking a vehicle, or refusing to move. During the summer rut, typically June through September, bulls can be especially aggressive and “bison jams” become more common. The safer response is simple: remain in your car, give the animal time and space, and let it clear the roadway on its own. Outside the vehicle, visitors should stay at least 25 yards from bison and back away if one approaches. Yellowstone also advises using binoculars or zoom lenses rather than moving closer for photos. The bigger lesson from the viral moment is that even a calm-looking animal can become dangerous quickly. In Yellowstone, impatience behind the wheel is not just rude — it can trigger exactly the kind of wildlife encounter visitors are trying to avoid.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 24

A viral TikTok video shows a Yellowstone bison puncturing a tourist vehicle's tire after pressing against the car near a park road.
The clip gained traction as Yellowstone faces renewed attention over bison encounters, with commentary citing recent incidents including a grandfather flung 8 feet and a woman dragged.
Officials and commentators stress that bison can be unpredictable, weigh up to 2,000 pounds and move surprisingly fast, making close approaches dangerous even from vehicles.
The video's spread has turned the encounter into a cautionary example for summer visitors as Yellowstone again urges tourists to keep their distance from wildlife.