In the battle of bison vs wolf, the bison has emerged the victor. A buffalo sent a wolf flying while at Yellowstone.
The incident happened at the Blacktail Plateau. Wolves targeted a lone bison, but the buffalo wasn't ready to become lunch.
"It was an opportunity," said Andrea Baratte, a wildlife biologist and Yellowstone Adventure Tours guide. "The Rescue Creek pack was traveling along, saw the bison that was a little singled out, and started running toward it."
Cue a kick that sent the wolf flying through the air.
"The bison quickly caught up with the herd, and the whole chase ended," he said.
Bison Sends Wolf Flying at Yellowstone
Wolves may have been reintroduced to Yellowstone, but the park belongs to its bison. However, it appears the wolf population has devastated the elk population at the park with the animals dropping. Wolves then turned to bigger game, targeting bison carcasses and then the animals themselves.
"Wolves generally attack the easiest, most abundant prey," said ecologist, author, and bison advocate George Wuerthner. "Bison are very large animals. That's a lot of calories, if you can bring them down. It's always worthwhile, but with a greater risk."
But for the wolves, losing a battle with a bison can be deadly or debilitating. A kick can break bones, forcing the wolf to be hobbled as a result.
"Older wolves almost always have broken bones when they're autopsied," Wuerthner said. "If you live five or six years, the chances are you've been kicked, had to heal up a rib, or even broken a leg more than once."
