Grandfather Injured by Bison in Yellowstone Shares Grateful Message After Surgery

Carl Izom-McDaniel, a 65-year-old retiree from Washington, became an internet sensation after a viral video showed him being violently thrown into the air by a bison during a family trip to Yellowstone National Park last Friday. The incident occurred while Carl and his 13-year-old granddaughter stopped to photograph the massive animal. The bison charged and struck Carl, lifting him approximately 2.5 meters off the ground.

Carl sustained multiple fractures in his femur, the strongest bone in the human body, and was rushed to the hospital where he underwent emergency surgery on Sunday. Despite the severity of his injuries, Carl demonstrated remarkable recovery, managing to stand on his own just one day after the operation.

From his hospital bed, Carl surprised many with his positive attitude and a message of gratitude toward the bison. In a Facebook post featuring a thumbs-up emoji, he reassured followers that he was okay and thanked the animal for sparing his life. In an interview with CNN, Carl recounted how the bison stood over him while he was immobilized on the ground but chose not to cause further harm. He expressed concern that people might think he provoked the animal, but the videographer confirmed Carl was not at fault and that the bison was unusually aggressive at that moment.