Bison Plays Traffic Cop, Signals To Snowmobilers To Vamoose

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK — A group of snowmobilers ran into a ton of trouble — literally — when they and a snow coach ran afoul of a bison playing traffic cop in Yellowstone National Park. The enormous animal warned them to stop by standing in the middle of the snow-packed road, yet they persisted.

The bison was having none of that. It lowered its head, pawed in the snow and charged, as if to say, “I said stop. You didn’t, so I’ll show you.”

And then some. The snowmobilers picked up speed. Another group of snowmobilers approached, and the bison took off after them. Profanities flew as the bison became more aggressive — typical behavior for the species.

They’re naturally curious, too. The bison’s curiosity didn’t kill the snowmobilers, but they certainly feared for their safety, according to a fellow who goes by “Eric P” on YouTube posted three videos of the encounter.

Once the snowmobilers were out of its path, the bison turned on the snow coach.

“He’s looking at us!” someone in the vehicle exclaims. The driver says “good” when more snowmobilers approach and the bison turns its attention to them.

Watch what happened here:

In the huge animal's defense, Yellowstone National Park is considered the home turf of bison, and winter is especially hard on them as food becomes scarce.

Bison, the largest terrestrial animal in North America, once numbered in the tens of millions, and were absent only along the U.S. coasts, deserts and northern New England. But even at speeds of more than 30 mph, they couldn’t outrun hunters and their numbers dwindled from a high of about 30 million to about 1,000 by 1900. Only a handful remained in Yellowstone.

But bison have experienced a comeback and now number about 31,000 in North America as conservationists, ranchers and landowners began to realize bison play a key role in the ecosystem and to indigenous cultures. They disturb the soil with their massive hooves, which allows many plants and animal species to flourish.

They were bred and protected on federal lands like Yellowstone. Most today aren’t pure wild bison, but have been crossbred with cattle.