Taking selfies with bison not the smartest idea, Yellowstone National Park says

You've probably read a story or two involving a tourist falling to their death in an attempt to take a selfie in a precarious position.

Taking a selfie with a large wild animal is another risky endeavour.

This week, Yellowstone National Park officials posted the following on Facebook:

A 43-year-old woman from Mississippi received minor injuries Tuesday when she turned her back on a bison to get a photo with it near the Fairy Falls trailhead in Yellowstone National Park. This is the fifth person injured after approaching bison this season.

The woman and her daughter were by the trailhead sign when they decided to take a picture with a bison that was approximately 6 yards away from them near the trail. When they turned their backs to the bison to take the picture, someone warned that they were too close. They heard the bison’s footsteps moving toward them and started to run, but the bison caught the mother on the right side, lifted her up and tossed her with its head. The woman’s father covered her with his body to protect her and the bison moved about 3 yards away. The family drove to the Old Faithful Clinic, where the woman was treated and released with minor injuries.

According to the Facebook post, park visitors should stay at least 23 metres away from bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes and at least 91 metres away from bears and wolves.

Here's a fun fact from the National Park Service: "Bison can sprint three times faster than humans can run."