Bison Attack Survivor Speaks out on Dangerous Encounter

For the first time overnight, Carl McDaniel is opening up about his now viral face -to -face encounter with a raging bison last Friday at Montana's Yellowstone National Park.The 65 year old grandfather now recovering from a broken femur after the massive animal chased him around a camp before tossing him high into the air.McDaniel telling CNN, we were about 100 yards away and the bison was not aggressive, so they snapped a few photos and continued walking.Photographer Michael Cloud filmed the wild encounter.

They were doing everything right.They were respectful and once the bison showed any agitation they left and they were just at the wrong time in the wrong place.

says around that time, a truck drove by, and the driver honked his horn in what he believes was an apparent attempt to get the bison to move.And it worked.The sound agitated the bison, and it began running toward them, McDaniel telling CNN, there was not a lot of time.So I told my grandson to run in one direction, and I went the other to try and draw him away.After chasing the pair around a wooded area, the hulking animal eventually caught up to McDaniel and sent him flying.McDaniel says he was on the ground and unable to move when something remarkable happened.

That's when the photographer says he immediately stopped filming and ran to help, yelling at the bison along with other good Samaritans to scare it off.

I could see that bison was standing over him and pumping his head and very aggressive and agitated.And I knew that somebody had to distract that thing.

McDaniel, who had surgery on Sunday, says he's grateful for all the people who helped and thankful it was not much worse.

I mean, what a story.And so what does his recovery look like now, Camila?

Yes, and so Carl McDaniel told CNN that he broke his femur in 4 places near his hip.He says he'll be doing physical therapy for the next few days to start walking, but he was thankfully able to stand yesterday Savannah.

And good for the person shooting to put down that right thing to do.Thank you so much.

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