13 bison killed after truck hits herd near Yellowstone National Park

WEST YELLOWSTONE, Mont. — Thirteen bison were killed or euthanized after a truck hit their herd near Yellowstone National Park.

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West Yellowstone Police Department said in a news release that on Wednesday around 6:30 p.m. multiple bison were hit by a semi-truck near mile marker 4 on Highway 191. WYPD said that thirteen bison were killed and of that thirteen, some had to be euthanized due to their severe injuries.

According to The Associated Press, the accident also involved two other cars. The crash happened north of the town of West Yellowstone which is a western entrance to Yellowstone National Park.

WYPD Police Chief Mike Gavagan said that no injuries were reported for anyone in the semi-truck or the two other vehicles involved in the crash, according to the AP.

WYPD at first said all three of the cars involved in the crash had hit the bison but later said that only the semi-truck, according to the AP.

Speed may not have been a factor, WYPD said, according to the AP. WYPD said that “road conditions at the time would dictate traveling below the posted speed limit.”

Bison often congregate in the region near roadways during the winter which is reportedly easier for them to get through heavy snow, police said, according to the AP. And oftentimes because of that, it’s hard to see the animals when it gets dark out.

“We deal with wildlife being struck and killed on the roadways in our area on a regular basis due to the abundance of wildlife in our area and our close proximity to Yellowstone National Park,” WYPD said.

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