The U.S. Department of the Interior on Saturday informed social-media followers that National Bison Day is a time to “celebrate this majestic symbol of strength and resilience.”
With that in mind, below is an extraordinary clip that showcases the strength of one adult male bison – and resilience of another – as it clears its rival from a highway by knocking him briefly airborne. (Keep in mind that adult male bison can weigh 2,000 pounds.)
Bison mating season is still going on in the park. Male bison are particularly aggressive right now, though all bison and other wildlife can be dangerous. Remember to always keep your distance—25 yards from bison and elk; 100 yards from all other wildlife.#Yellowstone #NationalPark #WhatWildlifeDoWednesday #Bison
Posted by Yellowstone National Park on Monday, August 10, 2020
The footage, captured during mating season through a vehicle window, was shared by Yellowstone National Park in 2020, along with the warning: “Remember to always keep your distance — 25 yards from bison and elk; 100 yards from all other wildlife.”
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While commemorating National Bison Day, the U.S. Department of the Interior boasted that, in a collaborative effort with tribes and states, the agency manages 11,000 bison in 19 herds across 12 states. (Yellowstone is home to nearly 5,000 bison.)
The department continued: “This magnificent animal joins the ranks of the bald eagle as the official symbol of our country — and much like the eagle, it’s a symbol of our American identity and one of the greatest conservation success stories of all time.”
The department concluded with its own humorous warning to tourists, alluding to the unpredictability of massive animals that are not always as docile as they appear to be: “And as a reminder: Don’t pet the fluffy cow.”
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Bison fight showcases ‘strength and resilience’ of iconic critters
