Last week we featured footage showing bison stampeding toward a snow coach in Yellowstone National Park, as tourists watched with heightened concern.
To their relief, the bison navigated around the vehicle without incident.
On Monday, photographer Jeff Vanuga shared an image showing the aftermath of a bison stampede that caused panic among tourists who had been away from their vehicles observing a wolf kill.
Vanuga described the scene via Instagram:
“After wolves took down a bison cow 100′ below the road the herd came up to where the everyone was observing the kill. Seconds later a stampede ensued with bison running directly at the crowd.
“Everyone ran and scattered about as the bison thundered through people, snow coaches and snowmobiles. Luckily no one was injured and after getting out of harm’s way I managed a couple shots of the last bison weaving through the crowd. An adrenaline-filled morning!”
The wolves that killed the bison cow belonged to the Wapiti Pack, which utilizes a wide swath of territory, including the northern range in the winter.
Wolves take down bison cow in Yellowstone National Park. Photo: ©Jeff Vanuga
Yellowstone is home to nearly 5,000 bison, which must contend with wolves in the winter, and wolves and grizzly bears during spring and summer.
Bison, which can weigh 2,000 pounds, often utilize roads for easier commuting. This puts them in close contact with tourists.
According to the park, bison can attain speeds of 30 mph, so stampedes are awesome and, at times, harrowing spectacles.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Bison ‘thunder’ through crowd of panicked Yellowstone tourists
