A terrifying moment at Yellowstone National Park was caught on video after a massive bison charged toward a young boy and chased him down a trail.
The frightening footage shows the animal grazing near a boardwalk as a family attempts to walk past.
Within seconds, the situation takes a dangerous turn.
The child appears startled by the bison and suddenly begins running down the path. The enormous animal immediately gives chase, forcing the boy to sprint for safety.
Fortunately, the child managed to escape without being injured.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:
The bison stopped running after a short distance, though it continued moving in the boy’s direction along the trail.
The close call is another reminder of how quickly encounters with Yellowstone’s wildlife can become dangerous.
Just one month earlier, visitor Carl Isom-McDaniel was seriously injured when a bison charged and tossed him into the air.
He suffered four fractures to his femur and required surgery.
Speaking from his hospital bed, Isom-McDaniel warned that the animals are much faster than many visitors realize.
“They move faster than you could ever imagine,” he said.
Another bison encounter in June left a 12-year-old visitor injured and in need of hospital treatment, according to the National Park Service.
Park officials have repeatedly warned visitors to keep their distance from the powerful animals.
“Bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal,” the National Park Service said. “They are unpredictable, can run three times faster than humans and will defend their space when threatened.”
The latest video had a fortunate ending, but it could easily have turned tragic.
Visitors who encounter a bison at Yellowstone should never approach it and should immediately move away if the animal begins reacting to their presence.
