Yellowstone Cross Country Skier Attacked by Coyote
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A pack of coyotes in Yellowstone National Park. National Park Service photo.
A 43-year-old woman cross-country skiing on Grand Loop Road in Yellowstone on Tuesday was attacked by a young coyote, according to a National Park Service press release. The skier was pulled to the ground by the animal before bystanders drove it away. The victim was later treated for lacerations and punctures on her head and arms.
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Rangers closed the road, found and killed the coyote, and are completing a necropsy to learn more about the circumstances surrounding the attack. The emaciated coyote had porcupine quills in and around its mouth, which rangers speculate led to its extreme hunger and erratic behavior.
While this particular wildlife encounter happened rapidly and with little warning, these types of situations can generally be avoided by maintaining proper distance from wildlife. Officials recommend staying at least 75 feet from most animals, and at least 300 feet from big and scary animals like bears and wolves.
