Horrified onlookers watched a large bison wander into a scalding hot spring at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, eventually dying in the blistering water.
Tourists near the park's Grand Prismatic Spring watched in horror as the animal stepped into the hot waters of the spring last Saturday, June 21. The animal reportedly thrashed around in the spring for a moment, struggling in an attempt to escape before eventually sinking into the water.
Katie Hirtzel, a tourist from Salt Lake City, Utah, told USA TODAY about how witnessing the incident shocked and amazed her.
"It's quiet, it's eerie, I couldn't really tell what it was at first," Hirtzel said. "I honestly found the whole experience so beautiful and inspiring to be able to see that raw power right in front of my face."
Hirtzel, who had been visiting the park with her husband and 13-year-old son, reportedly returned to the Spring the following day and encountered the bison's remains, which appeared unchanged. She stated her hopes that park rangers would not remove the animal's body and instead allow it to remain in its final resting place.
Social media users reacted to images of the incident with shock.
"I think I'd be traumatized for the rest of my life if I watched an animal boil to death," said one.
I think I’d be traumatized for the rest of my life if I watched an animal boil to death.
— Sisu (@nopitypolitics) June 27, 2025
"nature's way of thinning the herd to let the smarter ones move on. Still, sad for that poor bison," said another.
nature’s way of thinning the herd to let the smarter ones move on. Still, sad for that poor bison.
— N73Mag (@N73Mag) June 27, 2025
"That's horrible. Seeing that would ruin my whole trip," concurred a third.
That’s horrible. Seeing that would ruin my whole trip
— ToniWanKanobi (@tbird765) June 27, 2025
"How awful, dear God!" exclaimed another.
How awful, dear God! 🥺😢😭
— Robyn Banks (@Robyn_ZBanks) June 28, 2025
Mike Poland, the scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory with the U.S. Geological Survey, has stated that it is likely the bison's remains will be left to decay in the spring. He said scientists often find animal carcasses and skeletons in the pools and hot springs around the park.
"There is one pool (in the Lower Geyser Basin) called Skeleton Pool," he said. "What made this a little bit different is that it happened in summer, during the day, at one of the most popular tourist areas in the whole park."
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