RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

Attention: Directorate
           Regional and Park Chief Rangers, USPP, BIFC, FLETC
           CC: RAD Information Net

Day/date: Friday, March 23, 1990

INCIDENTS

89-237 - Grand Canyon (Arizona) - Follow-up on Search

On August 19, 1989, the park initiated a large-scale search of the Boulder
Creek area for R.H., 47, of Aurora, Colorado, when he failed to
return as scheduled from an extensive hike in the inner canyon. Hight had
begun his hike on the 6th, and planned to return to Bright Angel Lodge on
the evening of the 16th. The joint, nine-agency search which was begun
shortly thereafter involved up to 100 searchers, dog units, three fixed-wing
aircraft and four helicopters, but it was eventually suspended when no trace
of R.H. could be found. On March 11, 1990, hikers reported to backcountry
rangers that they'd found the remains of a body in the area of Boulder
Creek. Rangers and a Coconino Deputy Sheriff found the body and identified
it as R.H.'s. The cause of death is unknown at this time. (Ken Phillips,
GRCA, via written report from GRCA, 3/22/90).

90-44 - Big Bend (Texas) - Animal Incident

On March 19th, a visitor and her three-year-old child encountered a young
mountain lion while hiking on the Basin Loop Trail in the park. The lion
reportedly came onto the trail, crouched into a springing positions, and
bared its teeth. The visitor picked up her child and yelled at the lion.
The lion remained in the crouched position with its teeth bared, however,
until another hiker approaching from the other direction spooked the animal.
The lion was reported to have been within three to five feet of the woman
and her child. Because of other recent lion encounters and prior attacks by
lions on humans in this area, the Loop Trail was temporarily closed on the
morning of the 20th. At this point, the behavior of the lions in the Basin
area is not considered to be unusual or particularly threatening to
visitors, but precautions are nonetheless being taken to prevent attacks
from occurring. Appropriate barricades and signs have been placed
throughout the area, including all campsites. Interpreters have also
stepped up their public information campaign on mountain lion encounters.
Research staff have flown the area to locate all the radio-collared cats
thereabouts. Researchers and resource management personnel, utilizing the
skills of a local lion hunter and his dogs, tracked and successfully
collared a young, 65-pound male lion by mid-morning. It is thought that
this is the animal which has been involved in the recent encounters. It
will be intensively monitored over the next few months. (Acting
Superintendent, BIBE, via telefax forwarded from RAD/SWRO, 3/22/90).

OFFICE NOTES

1) The Horace Albright Employee Development Fund program for this year has
been announced, and packets with detailed program descriptions and
guidelines have been sent to the field. The packet includes the employee
application and filing procedures. Applications are due in to the Employee
Development Division in WASO by May 1st. [Al Werking, EDD/WASO].

STAFF STATUS

Dabney in Denver, Healy at NIBRS meeting in Williamsburg, VA.


Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities

Telephone:  FTS 343-4874/6039 or 202-343-4874/6039
Telefax:    FTS 343-5977 or 202-343-5977
CompuServe: WASO-RANGER
SEAdog:     1/650 (Phone:343-6014; BAUD:2400)