---
title: "Bison Involved in Fatal Custer State Park Attack Will Not Be Euthanized"
url: "https://camperfaqs.com/bison-involved-in-fatal-custer-state-park-attack-will-not-be-euthanized"
author: "Tory Jon"
published: "2026-06-16T10:46:13-05:00"
modified: "2026-06-16T10:54:59-05:00"
---

# Bison Involved in Fatal Custer State Park Attack Will Not Be Euthanized

A bull bison involved in a fatal attack at Custer State Park in South Dakota will not be euthanized and will instead be relocated to the care of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Game, Fish and Parks Department.

 

The decision comes after public debate over what should happen to the animal following [the death of a 70-year-old Canadian tourist](https://camperfaqs.com/70-year-old-woman-dies-after-bison-attack-on-hiking-trail-at-custer-state-park) who was struck by a bison while hiking in the park last month.

 

According to [Cowboy State Daily](https://cowboystatedaily.com/2026/06/11/bison-escapes-possible-death-sentence-after-killing-woman-in-custer-state-park/), the woman was hiking with her husband on the Grace Coolidge Trail when they encountered a group of bull bison. The incident led to renewed warnings from wildlife officials about the danger of getting too close to bison, even when the animals appear calm.

 

## Bison Will Be Moved Away From Public Areas

 

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe Game, Fish, and Parks Department announced that it will take custody of the bison and move it to a secure environment away from the public.

 

The agency also extended condolences to the woman’s family and said the bison was acting according to its wild nature.

 

“We will honor both our cultural obligation to protect our relative and the need of keeping the public safe,” the tribe said in a statement, according to Cowboy State Daily.

 

South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks said the decision to remove the bison from Custer State Park was made with public safety in mind.

 

“The best management decision was to remove the bison from the park to ensure public safety,” Nick Harrington, communications manager for South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, told Cowboy State Daily.

 

He also said the agency was grateful for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe’s willingness to relocate the animal to a place away from interaction with the general public.

 

## Reports of a Possible Kill Order Sparked Backlash

 

The decision followed public concern over reports that the bison could be euthanized.

 

Cowboy State Daily reported that South Dakota officials did not confirm that a kill order had been issued. When asked about the animal’s future, Harrington said only that “all options were being considered and evaluated.”

 

Still, the possibility that the bison could be killed drew criticism from wildlife advocates and local residents.

 

Dave Scragg, a Custer-area wildlife photographer, told Cowboy State Daily that he encouraged people to contact state officials and ask them not to euthanize the animal.

 

“Our main goal was to save the animal,” Scragg said.

 

Scragg said he believes public input helped change the outcome. He called the relocation decision a win for the community and wildlife.

 

## Officials Say Bison Are Wild Animals, Not Park Props

 

The case has also renewed a larger debate about how visitors interact with wild animals in state and national parks.

 

Bison are often seen grazing near roads, trails, campgrounds, and scenic pullouts. That can make them look slow, calm, or used to people. But they are still wild animals and can react quickly when they feel crowded, blocked, or threatened.

 

The National Park Service warns that bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal. The agency says visitors should stay at least 25 yards away from bison at all times and turn around or move away if one gets too close.

 

Custer State Park has its own large bison herd, and many visitors travel there specifically to see the animals along Wildlife Loop Road and other areas of the park. That close access is part of the park’s appeal, but it also creates risk when visitors leave vehicles, approach wildlife for photos, or find themselves near animals on hiking trails.

 

## What Visitors Should Do Around Bison

 

Wildlife officials regularly remind visitors that distance is the best protection.

 

If a bison is on or near a trail, hikers should not try to squeeze past it. The safer choice is to stop, back away, and give the animal room. If needed, visitors should turn around and choose another route.

 

Drivers should also stay inside their vehicles when bison are near the road. Getting out for a closer photo can put both people and animals at risk.

 

A bison may look relaxed one moment and charge the next. Warning signs can include raising its tail, swinging its head, pawing the ground, snorting, or turning directly toward a person.

 

Pets can also make wildlife encounters more dangerous. Dogs should be leashed where allowed and kept far away from bison and other large animals.

 

## A Reminder for Park Visitors

 

The death at Custer State Park is a tragic reminder that wildlife encounters can change in seconds.

 

The decision to relocate the bison gives the animal a chance to live away from public contact while also removing it from an area where another encounter could happen.

 

For visitors, the lesson is simple: bison are not tame, even in parks where people see them every day.

 

Give them space. Stay in your vehicle when possible. Never approach for a photo. And if a bison blocks a trail, let the animal have the trail.