| Page 284 | National Parks Traveler

Carl J. Scimeca: Did the Superintendent, Cassius Cash, follow NPS protocol in putting this bear down? Seems like the investigation was not complete when the bear was euthanized. I'd be surprised if the policy isn't to put down a bear after consuming human flesh, even if the bear didn't directly cause the death.

Feb 4th - 19:23pm | Bill Baehr

The NPS needs target practice in order to humanely kill an innocent bear. This is reeks of incompetence.

Feb 4th - 18:55pm | Carl J. Scimeca

Did the Superintendent, Cassius Cash, follow NPS protocol in putting this bear down? Seems like the investigation was not complete when the bear was euthanized.

National Park Service Employees Return To Find Shorted Paychecks

Feb 4th - 19:50pm | tomp2

Chad-- I received (partial) direct deposits for pp1 & 2 on Jan30 & 31. They were each short ~$300, whch should show up in pp03 Feb 12. If you don't see pp01 & pp02 funds in your account by today (Monday the 4th), contact your AO or timekeeper.

UPDATED | Damage Assessments, Cleanup, And Hiring Confront National Park Staff

Feb 4th - 17:51pm | tomp2

Bill--

Feb 4th - 13:04pm | Vanna

Because the parents didn't teach their kids about manners, respect or overall decency when they are in a public place.

Feb 4th - 11:40am | Bill Baehr

I have in mind private businesses formed to manage the Parks and other NPS sites.

Feb 4th - 09:46am | Ron Werner

And this is what our society has become, seems everyone wants something for nothing. A free stay in our parks and becoming distructive pigs that destroyed these wonderful places. I hope these people are proud of themselves, no-one else is. I say close the parks in a case like this, empty them of these ungrateful slobs, and preserve the beauty so normal people can further enjoy them.

Feb 4th - 08:39am | Jorge

why is that as soon as the teacher leaves the classroom the children have to misbehave

Feb 3rd - 17:36pm | Rick B.

Privatize...privatize...privatize. One rarely hears this drumbeat from those who care more about caring for the resource than from those who wish to profit off the resource.

Feb 3rd - 12:18pm | tazzman

Bill: "In Wyoming at Yellowstone National Park, where concessionaires and outfitters for the most part saw that visitors behaved, ..." Private business saved the day in Yellowstone Park during the shutdown.

Feb 3rd - 11:23am | Bill Baehr

"In Wyoming at Yellowstone National Park, where concessionaires and outfitters for the most part saw that visitors behaved, ..." Private business saved the day in Yellowstone Park during the shutdown.

Traveler's View: Mr. Bernhardt, About Your Ethical Zeal...

Feb 4th - 16:34pm | anonymous cynic

One difference is that Jarvis did not write the book to profit himself; almost all of Zinke's ethics issues were about self-serving and self-enriching. That's a huge difference. Also, huge differences in the number of ethical issues, and the Zinke issues actually affected department and NPS funding and resources.

Feb 4th - 13:17pm | Rick B.

Hermione - I have several problems with your anti-Jarvis diatribe. The first are the matters of chronology [Zinke is the most recent foul memory] and of magnitude [Jarvis' faults are miniscule compared with a professiional malfeasant like Zinke]. Lastly, Jarvis was not the addressee or subject of Kurt's editorial.

Feb 4th - 10:45am | Hermione

The attempt at re-writing of Jon Jarvis's dismal record at the NPS has got to stop. Making an argument that someone was worse hardly exonerates him.

Feb 4th - 08:34am | MP

You have captured my sentiments entirely Mr. Repanshek.

Joshua Tree Corrects Number Of Joshua Trees Taken Down During Shutdown

Feb 4th - 16:28pm | Kurt Repanshek

Actually, Wild, you have a point to a degree.

Feb 4th - 16:13pm | wild places

My problem Kurt is I don't know, which is my whole point. I've read articles citing Joshua "trees" cut down (which could be two or a thousand). I read two trees and then I read one of the trees either fell down or was chopped down before the shutdown.

Feb 3rd - 19:59pm | Johnny walker

Definately gonna have to fly to palm springs, get a hotel with a pool, rent a car, drive to joshua and mourn the loss of habitat.

Feb 3rd - 17:30pm | Rick B.

Thank you, Kurt.

Feb 3rd - 09:16am | Kurt Repanshek

Wild, the photo was taken by Joshua Tree staff, and the superintendent provided it to the Traveler after I talked to him on the phone. The park superintendent also told me the locks were cut by visitors. Are you saying he was lying about these incidents for some reason? Do you have proof he was? Please share it. What claims were exaggerated?

Feb 3rd - 09:03am | wild places

So one tree was knocked over, which may or may not have had anything to do with the government shut down. A lock was cut, which for all we know could have been done by park staff once they realized people were driving around locked gates. We don't know who sent the infamous photo in.

The Orphans’ Project: Wildlife Rescue In Kenya

Feb 4th - 11:18am | CAP

Great cause. Unfortunately, the cycle will continue until severe measures are taken to end poaching

Feb 3rd - 19:56pm | Lisa Hyland

well written trubute to this most extraordinary organization; I have been an ardent supporter since first discovering Daphne and her Trust 2 years ago and my foster is Maisha? saving for my dream to go to Kenya and hopefully meet her on the Shadow of Giants tour!!?

Feb 3rd - 19:09pm | Dorothy Rucker

Hi Linda, just wanted you to know the article was written by Barbara Moritsch, she and I were on the same trip last year in October, I just shared it because it's such a great article. Happy to hear you also sponsor Kiko and MalKia was able to see Kiko when we were there.

Feb 3rd - 16:18pm | Linda Berry

Thank you Dorothy! Your article well describes this fantastic organization. We visited the Nursery in 2004, and wish so much we could return, but fostering Malkia and Kiko helps keep us connected.

Feb 3rd - 15:12pm | Dan O'Brien

After reading your excellent article, I feel like living in a neighborhood of elephants could not only be educational but fun!

Feb 3rd - 14:13pm | Janette Gamble

What a great, informative article! As I started reading, I was concerned about reintegration, fearing that elephants might become too dependent on their human "keepers" to return to the wild. Then I was so impressed by their reintegration process...how "keepers" assisted with that. I am donating right now!

Feb 3rd - 13:57pm | Barbara J. Moritsch

Thank you, Betty!

Feb 3rd - 13:56pm | Barbara J. Moritsch

Thank you, Dorothy!

Feb 3rd - 13:02pm | Betty Conway

Barbara, this is such an excellent article and perfectly describes our encounters with the orphan elephants at the three Sheldrick units we visited. Thank you for writing it, for bringing back such wonderful memories and for presenting the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to the word in such a passionate way.

Feb 3rd - 11:58am | Dorothy Rucker

Great article Barbara, I learned a few things from a it that I didn't know from when we were there. I love the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and what they do for the rescued Elephants and all the Wildlife in their care. i am a proud Sponsor of four of the Ellie's and Maxwell the Rhino, I will continue to sponsor them as long as I am able.

Elephant Seals Take Over New Beach In Point Reyes National Seashore

Feb 4th - 10:30am | Scott Portman

Good for the elephant seals! The NPS should just let them take over this beach. I'm OK with roping off a little bit more of the beach if it helps toward a fully recovered and healthy marine mammal population. Over the long term, a spectacular elephant seal colony may draw more visitors anyway, and there's still plenty of beach north and south without seals for people to use.

Shrimp Trawler Breaks Up, Washes Ashore At Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Feb 4th - 09:58am | Edward Saint-Ivan

I feel bad for the shrimpers but gratful for your article.

Frogs Are A Sure Sign of Spring, But That Doesn't Mean You Won't Hear Them Now

Feb 3rd - 19:18pm | Sparhawk

Shad frogs are singing here in the lower S.C. Feb. 3 2019. This means that warmer weather is near. Also the Shad fish will start running. The frogs are a good sign to go by about the weather. Better than the Ground hog....

Blockbuster Buildings: Architecture In The National Park System

Feb 3rd - 16:26pm | [email protected]

https://www.curbed.com/2017/8/2/16083766/rustic-architecture-parkitectur... Correction: The Crater Lake Superintendent's Residence Shown

Traveler's View: Interior Department Makes Rules Up On The Fly

Feb 3rd - 16:13pm | [email protected]

https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/publications/earthonline/endangered-... Trump's Latest Assault on Alaska's Wolves and Bears

The Fire Lookouts of Mount Rainier National Park

Feb 3rd - 13:52pm | Taliah

I've always wanted a job such as this. I think it would be amazing and so peaceful, however I don't think I'll ever get the opportunity.

Feb 3rd - 13:51pm | Taliah

I've always wanted a job such as this. I think it would be amazing and so peaceful, however I don't think I'll every egt the opportunity.

Groups Request Investigation Into Legality Of Keeping National Parks Open

Feb 3rd - 09:21am | wild places

Sounds like yet another great way to waste tax dollars.

Wyoming Senate Supports Relocating Greater Yellowstone Grizzly Bears To California

Feb 2nd - 10:14am | Kurt Repanshek

Due to the great increase in gratuitous comments, we're closing this article to comments.

Feb 2nd - 09:28am | ecbuck

Joseph, where does the bill say the state of Wyoming can enter National Parks and trap bears?

Feb 2nd - 08:49am | Kurt Repanshek

Jeffrey, yes, it's eye opening. I don't think anyone doubts it or is trivializing it. For what it's worth, here's a similar story we wrote back in 2009: https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2009/06/rocky-mountain-wrestling-l...

Feb 2nd - 08:38am | Jeffrey Rayner

Kurt, please watch this YouTube video . It's eye opening https://youtu.be/UvxLnh-w1s8

Feb 2nd - 06:14am | Sky

Ignorance is pathetic!

Feb 2nd - 06:06am | Dom

Ha ha ha lol its funny most all the people are from the east side of the Rockies relocated to Wyoming and Idaho maybe they should go back if they don't like bears

Feb 2nd - 05:39am | Diane Bolter

I love Grizzlies too, they are extremely exceptionally important to the eco system in so many ways and besides, I love all animals and I am absolutely totally against murdering animals just for killing them! Nature put them here for a reason and it's not to be murdered for humans pleasure!

Feb 2nd - 00:53am | Joseph Oravec

The problem I see with this Legislation has litle to do with the Bears. It has to do with Wyoming Over-Reach. Wyoming giving itself AUTHORITY to go onto National Park Service Lands to trap and take Grizzly Bears. I am sure if the NPS or the US Government oversteped their authority (They Did), the Wyoming State Legislators would (They Did), Fight the US Government in Court (They Did).

Reader Participation Day: Should National Parks Be Closed Or Kept Open During Government Shutdowns?

Feb 2nd - 09:51am | Ruth

Obviously we as a society aren't resonsible enough to have low or unstaffed National Parks. Sadly, I feel they should be closed during shutdowns.

Feb 2nd - 08:19am | Sunny Jay

Close them. You cannot rely on people to do the right thing by cleaning up after themselves, trespassing in areas barred from use (hearing me ATV users?) vandalizing and otherwise destroying sensitive areas. Our parks deserve better.

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