Are Yellowstone’s Animals Fleeing Because They Sense Danger — Or Is It Just Social Media Hype?

Over the past few days, social media has erupted with dramatic videos that seem to show massive animal migrations out of Yellowstone National Park—and people are asking: Do they know something we don’t?

Clips shared widely on platforms like TikTok and Instagram appear to show grizzly bears, bison, elk, and even mountain lions walking in groups down paved roads, supposedly leaving the park. Speculations about everything from an impending volcanic eruption to climate catastrophe have taken hold of viewers’ imaginations.

Some users claimed these animals were “fleeing,” hinting that wildlife can detect natural disasters before humans. The buzz pushed the topic to trend on Google and sparked a wave of concern.

But officials at Yellowstone National Park and wildlife experts say the claims are completely unfounded—and in some cases, the videos aren’t even real.

What the National Park Service Says

According to Linda Veress, a spokesperson for the National Park Service (NPS), there is no evidence of a mass migration or evacuation of wildlife from Yellowstone.

“Animals are not leaving the park in large numbers,” Veress confirmed in a public statement. In fact, she added, many of the circulating videos appear to be AI-generated or satirical in nature, despite being taken seriously by viewers.

Understanding Wildlife Behavior

While it's true that animals in Yellowstone migrate seasonally, especially during winter months in search of food, what’s happening now is completely within normal patterns.

Bill Hamilton, a seasoned wildlife biologist with two decades of research in Yellowstone, explained that elk, deer, and bison often leave the park when snow covers their usual grazing grounds. Naturally, predators like wolves and mountain lions follow them as part of the food chain.

But in summer, such migrations are extremely rare, unless driven by something extreme like a wildfire, which hasn't happened this year. In fact, 2025 has been a stable, average year weather-wise, with normal moisture and temperature levels, according to long-time wildlife photographer Tom Murphy, who has documented Yellowstone for over 50 years.

“There’s no emergency, no threat, and no reason for these animals to abandon the park right now,” Murphy said.

Debunking the Viral Clips

Some of the most shared videos show grizzly bears marching together in a line, or mountain lions running down roads—but these, according to experts, are impossible scenarios.

“Grizzlies are solitary animals,” Hamilton pointed out. “You only see them in groups near a massive food source, like a salmon stream in Alaska—not casually strolling side-by-side down a road.”

Murphy agreed, saying the idea of mountain lions migrating together is “nonsense”. These cats are territorial and solitary. They follow a weekly route within their territory but don’t leave en masse or run in packs like wolves.

So where did these bizarre videos come from? Many seem to be AI creations or digitally altered, designed to stir engagement. While some users may see them as entertainment, the spread of false information about nature is becoming increasingly common—and problematic.

What About the Yellowstone Super volcano?

Another theory floating around social media is that wildlife is escaping Yellowstone because the supervolcano is about to erupt.

But scientists say this, too, is unfounded.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) currently ranks Yellowstone's volcanic activity at “normal” or “Code Green.” There have been no signs of imminent eruption—and Yellowstone's volcanic system is one of the most closely monitored in the world.

“Geologically speaking, an eruption might happen within the next two million years,” Murphy joked, “but probably not today.”

Why This Misinformation Matters

While it may be tempting to laugh off AI-generated animal videos or conspiracy theories, experts warn that such content undermines real understanding of nature and public trust in science.

“It creates confusion about how wildlife really behaves,” Hamilton noted. “And when misinformation spreads fast, it gets harder for people to separate fact from fiction.”

In truth, only small herds of animals—sometimes 40 or 50 out of thousands—move around in ways that might appear dramatic on video, especially when seen out of context. For instance, bison often walk along roads in winter, not because they’re escaping, but because snow is deeper off-road.

The Bottom Line

No, the animals of Yellowstone are not fleeing some hidden disaster. There is no eruption, no secret warning, and no mystery—only social media myths and misinterpreted wildlife footage.

While it’s fascinating to imagine animals sensing something we can’t, the real truth is simpler and less alarming: nature is doing exactly what it’s always done—and some clever video edits are just tricking our eyes.