Footage of a bison attacking a car in Yellowstone National Park went viral Monday.
A herd of the enormous beasts gathered along a road in the Hudson Valley region of the park, blocking traffic for what appeared to be several miles. Bison crowd together in the middle of mating season, which may be why one got extra aggressive with a visitor’s vehicle in the footage, according to Newsweek.
“Oh no, they’re coming at us. They’re fighting right in front of those people,” William Ogonowski said while recording the bison ramming the car ahead of his own, according to the outlet.
HEADSTRONG: A herd of bison blocked a road in Yellowstone National Park during their annual rutting season, with one getting aggressive toward a stopped vehicle and ramming into the side of it. https://t.co/bXV8FQ7pqf pic.twitter.com/RsLMpeFs6n
— ABC News (@ABC) August 22, 2022
Yellowstone is the only place that bison have lived in the U.S. since the prehistoric era, according to the National Park Service. They typically mate between July and August, and give birth the following spring. During this season, they migrate from the Lamar and Hayden valleys in the park, but display a similar level of aggression year-round. (RELATED: Mummified Wolf Pup Unearthed In Adorable Condition)
“It’s important to remember that during rut, bulls are on high alert and can get aggravated easily! No matter what time of year, always stay further than 25 yards away from all wildlife, and make sure both tires are over the white lines if you pull off the road to view them,” NPS said in a post shared on Facebook.