On June 21, visitors to Yellowstone National Park witnessed a tragic incident near the Grand Prismatic Spring. A wild buffalo fell into the near-boiling waters of the Grand Prismatic Spring in the Midway Geyser Basin, and a horrified visitor captured the final moments of the buffalo in the boiling water.
According to a witness who posted photos of the event on social media, the buffalo walked a few steps in the shallow area, then quickly turned around. Later, it seemed to hesitate for a moment before venturing into a deeper area where it ultimately became trapped, unable to save itself.
“Unfortunately, yesterday morning, I witnessed a buffalo drowning in the Grand Prismatic Spring. It walked a few steps into the shallow area on the right side of the pool, then turned around quickly. It stood for a moment, then turned towards the spring, moving into a deeper area. Despite its best efforts, it couldn’t climb out. I captured a video of its last breath as it surfaced, but watching its struggle was truly heartbreaking,” wrote Louise Howard on Facebook alongside the photos.
Howard told CBS News, “No matter how hard it struggled, it couldn’t climb out.”
Michael Poland, the Chief Scientist at the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, told CBS News that while it is rare for animals to fall into hot springs, it is not unheard of.
Poland mentioned that scientists have discovered buffalo remains in the park’s hot springs before. He stated that this buffalo likely died from being boiled alive.
The Grand Prismatic Spring spans 300 feet wide, and its water temperature can reach up to 192 degrees Fahrenheit (about 80 degrees Celsius). It serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of the natural environment and the importance of respecting the wildlife and geothermal features in national parks like Yellowstone.