00-620
Badlands National Park (SD)
Follow-up on Significant Fossil Theft
While off-duty on Sunday, September 24, 2000, ranger Mark Gorman saw
a woman digging in a known fossil area near Sheep Mountain. Gorman
contacted her, found that she was part of a group of four collecting
fossils in that area, and determined that group members were aware that
they were within the park and that their activities were illegal. Gorman
and rangers Scott Hall and Beth Kolb investigated further and found that
they had over 1,700 fossil specimens in their possession. One of the
offenders was a geology student from the University of Wisconsin.
Evidence seized included geology ledgers and disassembled, fossilized
turtle shells. The rangers also learned that the foursome - A.K.,
N.S., M.V.A., and A.B. -
had been collecting fossils in the park for two days. They were released
pending further investigation and coordination with the U.S. attorney.
The four were indicted by a grand jury last year, arrested by U.S.
marshals, and brought to trial in Rapid City. All four were convicted of
theft of government property and aiding and abetting. At a sentencing
hearing last week, they were fined a total of about $2,250. A.K.,
the geology student, was fined $1,000. Park paleontologist Dr. Rachel
Benton testified during the sentencing hearing. The federal magistrate
asked A.K. if he understood how serious the violation was. A.K.
replied that he did, and announced to the court that he was changing his
major from geology to psychology.
[Submitted by Scott
Lopez, Chief Ranger]
02-611
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (OR)
Elk Poaching
Two bull elk were illegally shot and killed in the park on November
9. Both the NPS and Oregon State Police responded and found two untagged
and abandoned dead elk. A joint investigation is underway; also
participating is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Investigators were
able to salvage the elk. Plans were to donate the meat to a local food
bank.
[Submitted by Jim Hammett, Superintendent]
02-612
Buffalo National River (AR)
Fatal Auto Accident
Rangers and volunteer firemen responded to a single-vehicle accident
in the park on Highway 14 just south of Dillards Ferry on the evening of
Saturday, November 23. The driver, W.Y. of Little Rock, was
entrapped in his BMW convertible. A nurse and bystanders had performed
CPR for about 20 minutes; rangers called for additional assistance and
assisted with CPR for another 15 minutes. Paramedics arrived on scene
and contacted their hospital's emergency room physician, who declared
W.Y. dead based on radioed information. W.Y. had been driving a
winding section of the highway at a high rate of speed when he ran off
the road and crashed into trees. He was driving with a suspended license
and was not wearing a seatbelt.
[Submitted by Robert J.
Maguire, Chief Ranger]
Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found on the left side of the front page of InsideNPS. All reports should be submitted via email to Bill Halainen at Delaware Water Gap NRA, with a copy to your regional office and a copy to Dennis Burnett in Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO.
Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.