On Friday, July 10, 65-year-old Carl Isom-McDaniel was visiting Yellowstone National Park with his 13-year-old grandson when they spotted a massive bull bison and stopped to watch it. Although they weren't trying to approach or disturb the animal, the bison suddenly charged, tossing Isom-McDaniel approximately eight feet into the air.

Now, he's recovering in a Montana hospital after breaking his femur in four places. He has already undergone surgery and is expected to face a lengthy recovery. In an interview shared by CBS News, Isom-McDaniel reflected on the terrifying encounter and offered a warning to others: "They move faster than you could ever imagine."

Thankfully, his grandson was not harmed in the incident, and Isom-McDaniel told CNN, "It was not as catastrophic as it could have been.”

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We laughed when commenter @stephanie19310 joked, "I like how he's lowkey defending the bison."

Why Bison Attacks Happen in Yellowstone National Park

One viewer commented, "Y’all, even the Park Rangers were there and said this man did nothing wrong. He was not close to bison; just that he was close enough to not outrun it. He was a good 100 yards away. The park rangers said it was mating season, so it made the bison even more aggressive. Ain’t nobody’s fault… nature was just naturing, and he was a part of that nature."

According to the National Park Service, bison injure more people in Yellowstone than any other wild animal. Despite their enormous size, they can run up to 35 mph, roughly three times faster than the average person, which is why giving them plenty of space is so important. Park officials recommend staying at least 25 yards (23 meters) away from bison at all times and never approaching one for any reason.

The National Park Service says warning signs that a bison may be preparing to charge include:

• bluff charging
• head bobbing while staring at you
• pawing
• bellowing
• raising its tail

They note, "These are warning signs that you are too close and that a charge is imminent—do not stand your ground! Immediately walk or run away from the animal. If the bison follows you, spray bear spray as you are moving away, and seek cover behind nearby trees or cars."

Thankfully, Isom-McDaniel survived to share his story, and hopefully, his experience will serve as a powerful reminder that Yellowstone's wildlife is incredible to watch, but always deserves a healthy dose of respect and plenty of distance.