mesarich, it says that the rangers shot him the next day because of the burns. I bet he thought he was the luckiest buffalo ever after outrunning a grizzly, only to get shot the next day. That's what I call having a bad week.

Great photos, wonder if the bear ever caught his fast food?

The issue would have been all the tourists complaining about the suffering Bison and demanding something be done, reasonable or not. Also if a wounded animal is hanging out in a popular area you just know some dumb tourist is gonna get between the predator and it's food.

wow

I think I would have made a mess in my pants

wow those are great shots! What a thrilling experience just to have witnessed it! Great Job!

Thats something you dont see everyday, I'm impressed that he had the presence of mind to start shooting photos, I'm pretty sure I would have just watched dumbfounded and probably would have gotten run over by both!

If there were no people or roads in the area I would assume the rangers would have let nature take its course. A sick animal of any size is a danger to humans, especially those not aware of the may dangers they pose (i.e. tourists). Human nature being what it is would probably have seen some kind hearted but misguided soultrying to help out the injured bison. The 1200 lb animal would most likely have lashed out and injured/killed anyone who approached inits fight for survival, just as it ran 25-30 mph from the bear. An animal that size, wandering in roadways in a sickened condition is a true hazard to humans in vehicles. The rangers did the animal and tourists a service by putting it down.

All in all, an amazing encounter with nature.

OMG this is GREAT!! I seen this on the news this morning so had to come over here and read and see the photographs here!!
AND getting these shots with a point and shoot camera!! We both laughed when it said those with the pro cameras all running around in herds when they hear of such a thing happening haha!!
Just remarkable!! I will be talking about this series of photographs!!

the bear had to get it afore the wolves did.

very cool.

WOW! That is a cool photo!

gabbailey, I was just wondering if you had read the article? The photographer was NOT a tourist, he works in the park half of the year at the post office...however, I do have to say, tourist aren't very smart when it comes to game and how dangerous they can be...just a thought

That business-like onrush of the grizzly for a buffaloburger is what many unfortunate and inexperienced voyagers get to experience when they're the intended target of the great bears. Typically the attack is unexpected and explosive, branches snapping and flying in all directions, bellows and roars to tell the hunter to get his/her gear in action in split second timing as well, or suffer the consequences. A successful stoppage by the hunter afterwards still leaves one wanting to sit down for awhile as the knees turn to rubber and realization hits home. I especially learned to listen to the scavenger birds like crows, ravens, and magpies who often signal what's ahead..., and pay attention to the wind at all times too. My thanks to the Elders for their wisdom on brother bear, and all other dwellers of the forest.

we had a similar experience except it was a bear chasing a moose and they ran across the road, not down it.

Duckwyp, whoduthunkit? Juhavonne Djelibeibe. Now that you're famous,you still have to work Saturdays.

Seriously? Didn't you see the amount of burn damage on that buff's legs? Don't think a major infection was about to set in. It's possible the buff would pull through, but not highly likely.

Honestly, I don't think the rangers should have put it down, they should have let nature take its course and another griz or a wolf pack would have made a meal of it sooner or later. Yes it outran the griz that time, but it was only a matter of time before the buff weakened.

GREAT JOB WITH THE PHOTOGRAPHY.
It does seem ironically sad that this wounded animal escapes the griz then meets it's end from a human. I admit I do not know what the park's animal policies are. It would seem to me that if the animals wounds came from a source in nature then nature should be allow to follow it's normal course. If the wounds were caused by human error (ie: hit by a car) then the park should offset/correct the balance by providing vet care. Also in question, if the population loss is of issue then why not intervene (whenever feasible) to aide the repopulation of the species. Does the park offer any vet services or are all injured animals automatically destroyed ??
Washington can fork out big $$$ to "save" the "nare do well" in this country but not our natural treasures and the folks who care for them.
That's Wrong.

Your all missing the point.
The Bison represents us...
the Bear represents the Governments view on solving our economical problems

This is truly an awesome and interesting look at nature. Kudos to the gentlemen who took these photos. WoodnChips comment an amusing and insightful perspective.

Nothing like being in the right place at the right time!

Unbelievable!

Just too many predators.