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Katie Rogers reports at the NYT that officials at Yellowstone National Park are warning visitors not to fraternize with wildlife after a woman was injured while trying to take a selfie near a bison — but that hasn't stopped some visitors from posting their close encounters on social media. A notice released by the National Park Service details how a 43-year-old and her child turned their backs to a bison while trying to take a selfie while the animal was 6 yards away. The visitors tried to get away when they heard the bison approach, but the animal lifted the woman up and tossed her with its head. She is the fifth person to be injured in an encounter with one of the park's bison this summer.
The park's warnings are not subtle: Upon entering, visitors receive a bright yellow flier that depicts a person getting gored by a bison. According to Julena Campbell, summer, which is breeding season, is the most dangerous time to be near the animals. "The family said they read the warnings in both the park literature and the signage, but saw other people close to the bison, so they thought it would be OK," says Colleen Rawlings, a ranger in the park's Old Faithful District. "People need to recognize that Yellowstone wildlife is wild, even though they seem docile. This woman was lucky that her injuries were not more severe."
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Runaway1956 on Tuesday August 04 2015, @02:14PM
There are no "safe animals". It's already been mentioned that domesticated animals are dangerous - the one thing no one has mentioned are dogs. Yes, your well behaved little chihuahua turns into a pack animal when he escapes the house. He can't take down a deer by himself, or a small child - but he is a pack animal. He will run that deer, or small child, as part of the pack, and he'll take his turn nipping at the deer's, or child's, heels to wear the prey out.
Turning your back on any animal is a risk.
(Score: 1) by moondrake on Tuesday August 04 2015, @03:04PM
Well, to be fair to the animals, I tend to think that a dog that accepts you as his/her pack leader is probably more loyal compared to the average human.
How many times you heard someone divorced his dog?
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 04 2015, @03:45PM
> How many times you heard someone divorced his dog?
If he goes around humping other legs, I'm throwing him out on his fuzzy ass.
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Tuesday August 04 2015, @03:57PM
You don't need to divorce your dog. You have fun with it a few years, and then you can put it down.
A simpler approach to companionship, really.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 04 2015, @03:17PM
Don't forget the most dangerous animal of all.
Humans.
(Score: 2) by Phoenix666 on Tuesday August 04 2015, @07:19PM
That's the money quote. The confusion arises because humans have domesticated so many animals and consider them safe. Kids who grow up in farm country learn the provisos. "Don't walk behind a horse." "Don't enrage the bull." "Don't have sex with the sheep." Still there are the urban (rural?) legends of the farmer whose family left to visit inlaws for the weekend, went to slop the hogs, slipped and knocked himself out, and was found by the returning wife and kids half-eaten by the hogs.
All animals attack.
Washington DC delenda est.