Concern among Yellowstone National Park visitors over animal behavior: science explains it all

Covering a 3,500-sq.-mile area, Yellowstone National Park is famous for being the world’s first national park, established in 1872, and is renowned for its extraordinary geothermal features like Old Faithful geyser and the colorful Grand Prismatic Spring. It’s also well known for its diverse wildlife including bison, bears, and wolves, and its breathtaking landscapes such as canyons, waterfalls, and alpine rivers—all set atop a massive supervolcano that fuels much of its natural wonder.

However, in recent weeks, visitors to the famous park and several social media users have expressed concern following the release of videos showing large groups of animals fleeing the park. Bison, elk, bears and even cougars have been captured scurrying south, leading many to fear a possible eruption of the supervolcano that lies beneath the park.

The images, shared thousands of times, have sparked apocalyptic theories although experts say there is no cause for alarm. In fact, according to the National Park Service (NPS), the animals’ behaviour is normal and expected for this time of year. Many species make seasonal migrations to lower altitudes, where temperatures are milder and food is more readily available.

In addition, the increase in tourist activity in summer could be causing the animals to move away from the busiest areas in search of peace and quiet. ‘The movement of these animals is not related to any unusual seismic or volcanic activity,’ said a park spokesperson.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.