Bison attacks 9-year-old girl

A 9-year-old Florida girl was attacked by a bull bison Monday afternoon while visiting Yellowstone National Park with her family.

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The enraged animal charged a group of people, catching the girl and tossing her in the air on a trail near Old Faithful Geyser, the National Park Service said in a news release on the incident.

“According to witnesses, a group of approximately 50 people were within 5-10 feet of the bison for at least 20 minutes before eventually causing the bison to charge the group,” the National Park Service said.

A video taken by a bystander shows the bison tossing the girl in the air as people run away from the charging animal.

The girl was taken to the Old Faithful Lodge by her family and was examined by emergency medical staff. She was later treated and released from the Old Faithful Clinic, Park Service officials said.

No citations have been issued but an investigation on the incident is underway.

Park officials continue to remind visitors that animals are wild and to stay 25 yards from bison, elk and deer and 100 yards away from bears and wolves.

"If need be, turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in close proximity," park service officials said.

Cox Media Group