Bison Drowns in Yellowstone Hot Spring

Last week, a bison tragically died after falling into a hot spring at Yellowstone National Park, as visitors watched in shock. The incident occurred near Old Faithful at the Midway Geyser Basin, where the animal apparently wandered into the scorching water.

Witness Louise Howard recounted, “There were two bison standing there,” during her first visit to the park. She initially thought the scene was an ideal photo opportunity. However, the situation quickly turned grim as the bison attempted to escape the basin after stepping into the water. It struggled on the edge of the Grand Prismatic Spring, the park’s largest hot spring, which reaches temperatures of around 192°F (89°C), before losing its footing and plunging in.

Howard captured the final moments, noting, “It was teetering at the edge and then fell into the hot water.” The animal thrashed wildly, moving into an even hotter area of the spring, which hastened its demise. Experts indicated the bison’s quick death was due to the extreme heat, not acidity in the water. Yellowstone’s hot springs are known for their high temperatures, with the Grand Prismatic reaching nearly 200°F (93°C).

According to Yellowstone scientist Michael Poland, organic tissues decompose rapidly in such boiling waters, leaving behind just bones over time. Though animal fatalities from hot springs are not uncommon, this incident highlights the dangers of approaching these geothermal features. The park’s geothermal pools, like Skeleton Pool, are notorious for their lethal temperatures and numerous animal carcasses discovered at such sites.

The tragedy occurs during Yellowstone’s busy tourist season, with popular sites like Old Faithful drawing crowds. It also follows two separate incidents where visitors were gored by bison in recent months, both after coming too close to the animals despite their reputation for unpredictability.