Selfies are a favorite pastime of many and have become something of an epidemic in the past few years. Recently, more and more reports of selfies going horribly wrong have been emerging. Here is another one to add to the mix - and a particularly gruesome one at that.
A 43-year-old Mississippi lady visiting the Yellowstone National Park came up with the glorious idea of taking a selfie with one of the humongous wild bisons she found on the Fairy Falls trail. However, the four-legged beast wasn't particularly keen on having his picture snapped.
When the woman got as close as about six yards to the animal, she turned her back to find the perfect selfie angle for herself and Mr. Bison. That was when the animal, angry about having his personal space invaded, attacked.
The woman, who also had her daughter posing next to her, heard the colossal animal charging at them, causing her and her daughter to start running for their lives. The bison, however, won the race and flipped the woman through the air, according to eye witnesses, causing her to sustain minor injuries. Her daughter is unharmed.
"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 park spokesperson Amy Bartlett says.
The animal was only acting according to its nature, which by definition does not include posing for photos. It is eminently importantly to keep a respectful distance from these normally gentle but territorial giants.
As park spokeswoman Amy Bartlett says: "The (woman) said they knew they were doing something wrong but thought it was OK because other people were nearby, People are getting way too close."
This particular selfie fan was still lucky her injuries weren't severe. She might not have gotten her bison selfie, but she sure has a good story to tell now, one that could have ended way worse. Apparently, three people were injured by bisons in Yellowstone this year alone because of photo attempts.
A word of warning to all of you selfie lovers out there: Selfie vanity and wildlife don't mix! Better stay safe and keep your distance than attempt to have a new Facebook profile pic with a wild animal only to give your life for it.
Photo: Frank Kovalcheck | Flickr
Be sure to follow T-Lounge on Twitter and visit our Facebook page
