What began as an evening walk through Yellowstone National Park turned terrifying when a massive bull bison charged a tourist at Bridge Bay Campground. Witnesses said the animal hooked the man with one of its horns and launched him roughly eight feet into the air. The frightening encounter was captured on camera by photographer Mike MacLeod, who was camping nearby.

The man had been walking through the campground with his grandson when the bison suddenly became aggressive. Although the grandson managed to escape, the bull continued chasing the older man before catching him and throwing him into the air. The animal then remained nearby, raising fears that it could attack again.

MacLeod eventually stopped filming and ran toward the bison, shouting to get its attention and distract it from the injured tourist. Other campers joined him, and together they managed to drive the animal away. Bystanders then rushed to help the man, who reportedly complained of severe pain in his hip and leg. His grandson later said his grandfather had suffered serious injuries and was still recovering.

The exact reason for the attack remains unclear, but MacLeod believed the bison may have been affected by the annual rutting season, when male bison compete for mates and can become especially aggressive. He said the same bull had reportedly charged toward children earlier that evening and appeared to be “charging anything and everything.” The incident serves as a powerful reminder that even when wildlife appears calm, bison are wild and extremely powerful animals that should always be given plenty of space.