Bison flings woman out of her pants in attack at South Dakota park, video shows

A woman escaped a bison attack at Custer State Park in South Dakota when she was thrown out of her jeans.

The incident was caught on video by a bystander and shows a woman getting attacked by a bison while surrounded by a large herd. The video posted to Facebook has been viewed more than 500,000 as of Aug. 14.

The 54-year-old woman approached a calf on Wednesday and when she did, a bison attacked her, flinging her in the air by catching her jeans with its horn, KOTA News reported, citing park officials and the Custer County Sheriff.

Warning: The video contains graphic language.

She escaped when she was thrown out of her pants and others rushed over to help.

Custer State Park Superintendent Matt Snyder told News Channel 1 the woman got off a motorcycle and went to take a picture of a calf when she was attacked. She was transported to a hospital, he said. Her current condition is unknown.

“The bison were everywhere we went, herds and herds of them,” Jo Reed, who filmed the video, wrote in a Facebook post. “We came around a curve just behind a group of motorcyclists and there was a herd standing in the middle of the road, most noticeably a cow (female) and her calf which was nursing.”

Reed was taking photos from her Jeep when the attack occurred.

“PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE FEEL FREE TO share this, so people understand they’re about to die when they confront an animal this powerful. Thankfully the ranger did not need to tranquilize the bison.”

The Custer County Sheriff issued a warning Aug. 7 to visitors on its Facebook page, writing that they should keep their distance from bison:

“We would like to remind everyone to not pet the fluffy cows — also known as Bison/Buffalo. We have had calls about the fluffy cows blocking the road occasionally — some people are also getting too close. Remember this is their park and we are the guests... please give them a break and keep your distance.”