Bison attacks tourist in Poland's Białowieża Forest

In Poland's Białowieża Forest, a tourist experienced a terrifying encounter with a bison last Monday. The incident occurred when the man was approximately 20 feet away from the massive animal, which suddenly charged at him, knocking him to the ground. The wild bison then stood over the man, preventing him from getting up. As the tourist attempted to rise, the bison aggressively swiped at him, forcing him back down. Nature photographer Grzegorz Ryński, who witnessed the event, shouted warnings to the tourist and used his car to create a barrier between the man and the bison. Ryński slowly approached the bison with his car, leaving the door ajar for the tourist to enter. However, the man, seemingly in shock, attempted to flee on foot, prompting Ryński to reverse alongside him until they were at a safe distance. Ryński later commented that the tourist was fortunate, as the bison involved was relatively calm compared to other more aggressive individuals. His wife, Aneta, who also witnessed the incident, reported that the tourist sustained a deep gash on his calf and significant bruising, necessitating hospital treatment. She emphasized the wild nature of bison, warning that if a person gets too close, the animal may feel threatened and react defensively. The Białowieża Forest is known for being a refuge for around 1,176 free-range European bison, highlighting the importance of maintaining a safe distance from these powerful animals. This incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers posed by wildlife, as seen in a similar event in July when a man was tossed eight feet in the air by a bison at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. Park authorities consistently advise visitors to keep a safe distance from bison to avoid such dangerous encounters.