STEWART COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) – A man in Stewart County was injured by a bison Wednesday, according to officials at Land Between the Lakes.
Officials said the 37-year-old man was treated by Stewart County EMS and transported by Vanderbilt LifeLight to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Land Between the Lakes spokesman Chris Joyner told news outlets that the man approached the bison after illegally entering the enclosure and was rammed Wednesday night.
AP reports that the man was at the South Bison Range, which has no driving trails. Staff members and passers-by witnessed the attack and were able to pull the man from the enclosure. He was airlifted to a hospital, where he’s in stable condition. The exact nature of his injuries is unknown.
Wildlife technicians at the National park remind people that there are dangers to being around wild animals.
“We continue to stress to the public that bison and elk are wild animals,” said Curtis Fowler, wildlife technician at Land Between the Lakes. “Bison will aggressively protect their calves by confronting any perceived threat. Their sharp horns and hooves are unforgiving, and they can react surprisingly fast.”
Fowler also encouraged people to use the unfortunate incident as a reminder to not enter restricted wildlife enclosures.
*The Associated Press contributed to this report.