National Park Service staff, who have been asked to relax sport hunting regulations for wolves and bears in national preserves in Alaska, are relying on the state of Alaska's position that increased hunting of the predators will not have an overall impact on their populations. But the regulatory changes likely would reduce opportunities for wildlife viewing and degrade wilderness character in the preserves, the Park Service adds in an assessment of the rule changes.

A litter of four mountain lion kittens, two males and two females, found in a remote area of the Santa Monica Mountains is likely the result of inbreeding, according to National Park Service biologists.

President Trump's nominee to lead the National Park Service worked behind the scenes to see 40,000 acres of wilderness quality lands in Big Cypress National Preserve opened for off-road vehicles, was less than transparent in pushing through approvals for cell tower locations in Grand Teton National Park, and failed to protect park resources for overcrowding despite longstanding congressional directives to do so, according to an advocacy group.