A stampede is a sudden, unexpected, and often uncontrollable panicked flight of animals. The term can be used to refer to any sort of herd animal (such as cattle, horses, or sheep), but more often refers to cattle in Australia and the American West.

Stampedes are usually caused by a loud noise, such as a gunshot or air horn. They may also be caused by a natural disaster, such as an earthquake or lightning strike. Stampedes may also occur when animals are startled by people or other large animals moving around them.

Stampedes can be extremely dangerous for both humans and animals involved in them. Animals that are already sick or injured are likely to become even worse off during a stampede because they cannot run as fast as their healthy counterparts. Injured animals may also fall behind and be trampled by other animals during the stampede.

Stampedes have been known to kill humans in the past due to their unpredictability and sudden nature. People who work with livestock should always be prepared for the possibility of a stampede occurring at any time during their workday.

Last modified: November 20, 2022