Bison encounters at Yellowstone National Park have reached a whole new level this summer, from a 65-year-old tourist being flung eight feet into the air to a child narrowly escaping a similar attack. But a group of tourists recently witnessed a different side of these large mammals in a bizarre interaction between park staff and a lifeless bison caught on camera.
Last week, Yellowstone rangers were forced to break down a bison carcass in front of visitors. Instead of looking away, the crowd found themselves drawn to the whole process, a situation which a tour company owner on the scene described as “possibly chaotic.”
Yellowstone Tourists Watch Park Rangers Break Down Bison Carcass With ‘Kitchen Knives’
On Aug. 10, a crowd of tourists in Yellowstone witnessed bear management “quarter” a bison carcass using “kitchen knives” in Lamar Valley. Kaul of The Wild Yellowstone Tour, who witnessed the event himself, said that the female bison, which died of natural causes, was found 220 yards from the road.
However, its proximity to hikers and fly fishermen presented a “possibly chaotic” situation at the time. Park rangers were then forced to break down the deceased bison and move the pieces away from the main carcass, which many watched in awe. Kaul added that the carcass was intentionally left there so that Yellowstone’s wildlife enthusiasts could “enjoy” it.
“They cut off all four of her legs at the joint, and dragged them to four different areas, probably about 100 to 150 yards away from the main carcass,” Kaul detailed in a statement to Cowboy State Daily. “Then, they opened up her belly and backside to expose more flesh and blood for the predators to smell. … There were around 30 people there, and I explained that they were doing everything they could to allow us to enjoy this.”
Yellowstone Visitors Question Use Of ‘Kitchen Knives’ In Cutting Bison Carcass
Comments on Kaul’s Facebook post showing the encounter had some wildlife enthusiasts criticizing the “itty bitty” kitchen knives used in cutting the bison carcass into pieces. It was later clarified that the rangers were using butcher knives, and there is actually a practical reason behind it.
Sharp blades ensure a precise dissection, so rangers can accurately slice through joints, separate the limbs, and open the abdominal cavity without dispersing heavy fragments into the environment. Furthermore, heavy equipment could be too difficult to move in remote locations and could unnecessarily disrupt the habitat.
Front-end loaders or winches are undeniably faster for moving large animal carcasses in the park. However, they are limited to easily accessible locations, such as roads, according to Yellowstone historian and veteran employee Jeff Henry. Kaul acknowledged that what bear management did was the “best case scenario” as the bison did not die on the road.
Yellowstone Rangers Have To Break Down Bison Carcass For Safety
Cutting bison carcasses into pieces is critical to maintaining safety in Yellowstone. Kerry Gunther, the park’s Lead Bear Management Biologist, explained that dead bison are a “bear magnet,” following the viral moment in Lamar Valley.
Moving the carcasses away prevents a sleuth of bears from gathering in one area, which poses serious risks in campsites, trails, roads, and other high-traffic tourist areas.
“We move those carcasses, so tourists don’t stumble upon a lot of bears feeding [off] a carcass,” Gunther said, while showing a photo of five grizzly bears around one dead bison.
Gunther even revealed that bear management has encountered up to 23 bears feeding off a single bison carcass in Yellowstone’s Hayden Valley. The team moves “about a hundred” of large carcasses annually to avoid these scary incidents.
Henry, who has “evaluated 1,500 or 2,000 winter kills” during his 48 winters working and living in Yellowstone, added that rangers keep placing the carcasses in the same spots in the park to get bears and other scavengers used to finding meat there. TheTravel reached out to Yellowstone National Park for more information but did not receive a response in time for publication.
Park employees work tirelessly to keep powerful predators away from tourist zones by managing dead wildlife meticulously. However, tense bison encounters in Yellowstone this summer have also raised concerns regarding visitor behavior.
Visitor Behavior Fuels Spike In Dangerous Bison Encounters In Yellowstone
Yellowstone has recently seen a spike in dangerous tourist encounters with bison, largely caused by ignoring ranger warnings and crowding too close to the animals for photos. The park also said in a recent social media advisory that the annual bison rut (mating) season, which runs from late June to September, heightens the aggression of mature male bison or bulls.
During this period, tourists are advised to “always maintain a distance of at least 25 yards (23 meters)” from bison, and “retreat” if the animal charges.
During the rut, a massive surge in testosterone makes bulls’ behavior highly unpredictable as they become hyper-focused on competing for a female bison. Regardless of how relaxed they may seem, their actions can quickly escalate as they exhibit dominance by bellowing, wallowing, and even fighting other bulls.
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