NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT

To:        All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:      Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:  Friday, January 7, 1994

Broadcast: By 0900 EDT

INCIDENTS

93-873 - Yellowstone (Wyoming) - Poaching

Park rangers arrested R.F., 35, and E.F., 64, of Whitefish,
Montana, on December 31st for poaching two elk near milepost 27 on the
Gallatin Highway.  Concerned witnesses reported seeing two men dragging a
dead elk near U.S. 191 in the park and provided rangers with a description
of the suspect vehicle.  The F.'s vehicle was stopped near the park
boundary and a freshly killed cow elk was found in their possession.  During
the investigation, rangers discovered that the men had killed and abandoned
a second cow elk.  The two men claim they were unaware that they were within
the park when they killed the elk.  Both were charged with illegal hunting
under 16 USC 26.  Their rifles and the elk were confiscated.  The two men
are scheduled to appear before a U.S. magistrate in Mammoth Hot Springs some
time in January.  [CRO, YELL, 1/6]

93-874 - Joshua Tree (California) - ARPA Investigation

On December 16th and 17th, NPS and BLM rangers concluded a five-month
undercover investigation into the theft of artifacts from public lands with
the arrest of two individuals.  During the investigation, numerous artifacts
reportedly stolen from NPS and Forest Service lands were purchased by the
undercover officer.  The primary suspect in the investigation, who has
purportedly been collecting artifacts in California and Arizona for over ten
years, was also observed - and videotaped - collecting artifacts and
defacing archeological sites.  He was arrested and charged through Riverside
County with grand theft, receiving and selling stolen property, defacing
archeological sites, and destroying archeological features in caves.  His
residence in Desert Hot Springs, California, was searched, and officers
found records there documenting 58 different addresses he has used since
1983.  A residence in Joshua Tree, California, was also searched, and an
olla (a widemouth earthenware pot), a metate (grinding stone), and two manos
(hand grinding stones) were recovered.  The olla had been removed from
Joshua Tree NM; the metate and manos were taken from BLM's East Mojave NSA. 
One suspect at this residence has been interviewed, and additional charges
may be filed through San Bernadino County.  On the 17th, an undercover
"sting" operation was conducted on a gallery in Palm Springs, California,
which had previously been implicated in buying and selling artifacts from
public lands.  The undercover officer in this operation sold a Cahuilla
basket, a Mogollon bowl and two stone tools to the gallery after telling the
owners verbally and in writing that the items had been taken from public
lands.  The owner is being charged with receiving stolen property, a felony
under California law.  Several other individuals have been implicated by the
suspects, and further searches and arrests may be forthcoming.  Anyone
desiring additional information should contact Todd Swain at Joshua Tree
(619-367-3523).  [Todd Swain, CI, JOTR, 1/6]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania (Virginia) - Rare Birds

On January 2nd, the park hosted an Audubon Christmas bird count centered on
the Chancellorsville battlefield.  Twelve volunteer ornithologists surveyed
three national battlefields and surrounding areas and identified 75
different species.  The group spotted three birds uncommon to the area
during the winter - white-eyed vireo, chipping sparrow and brown thrasher. 
[John Perez, NRMS, FRSP]

OPERATIONAL NOTES

No notes today.

MEMORANDA

No memoranda today.

CROSS-REFERENCE

The following cc:Mail or print newsletters are available to interested
employees.  Information on other Servicewide or regional newsletters is
actively solicited and should be sent to this office.

"Clear Text", produced bi-weekly by WASO Ranger Activities Division. 
Contents: Significant divisional program activities, upcoming meetings
and travel, job openings (principally in park ranger divisions), park
ranger operational activities.  Contact: Bill Halainen at WASO Ranger
Activities via cc:Mail.

"Wildlife and Vegetation Division Monthly Report", produced by WASO
Wildlife and Vegetation Division.  Contents: Up-to-date information on
division activities, programs, deadlines and other matters that affect
resource managers.  Contact: Tim Goddard via cc:Mail.

"Uniform Program Update", produced bi-weekly by Servicewide uniform
program manager, WASO.  Contents: Uniform program developments, new
uniform component development, backorders update.  Contact: Bill
Halainen at WASO Ranger Activities via cc:Mail.

Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities

Telephone: 202-208-4874
Telefax:   202-208-6756
cc:Mail:   WASO Ranger Activities
SkyPager:  Emergencies ONLY: 1-800-759-7243, PIN 2404843