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NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MORNING REPORT Wednesday, November 7, 2007 =============================================================================================================== INCIDENTS Grand Canyon NP Cause Of Employee Death Still Unknown On November 2nd, Eric York, a 37-year-old wildlife biologist at Grand Canyon, was found deceased in his residence on the South Rim. The cause of his death is still unknown. The preliminary finding in the autopsy performed by the Coconino County medical examiner showed fluid in his lungs and signs of pneumonia. Although rare, hantavirus and plague do occur in the Southwest. Due to the nature of York's profession and hobbies and his exposure to wildlife that can transmit these diseases, hantavirus and plague have not been ruled out by the preliminary autopsy results. Additional tests are being conducted, and results are expected later this week. Hantavirus is transmitted to humans through infected rodent droppings, urine and saliva, particularly in indoor, poorly ventilated areas. It is not transmitted from person-to-person. Symptoms of hantavirus include fever, headache, joint pain and difficulty breathing. Plague is transmitted primarily by rodent fleas and direct contact with infected animals. The pneumonic form can be transmitted from an infected person to a non-infected person via airborne cough droplets. Prophylactic antibiotics can prevent infection when given to people who have had close contact with an infected person. As a precautionary measure, and until these infectious agents can be ruled out, the National Park Service is working with the Grand Canyon Clinic to offer a seven-day course of prophylactic antibiotics to persons who had close contact (within six feet) with York while he was symptomatic. These people have been contacted and are in the process of receiving medication. People who had close contact with York while he was symptomatic have also been told to watch for symptoms consistent with plague and to seek medical attention as soon as possible if symptoms occur. These symptoms include high fever, chills, a cough and breathing difficulty. For more information about this incident, please call the Grand Canyon National Park Incident Information Center at 928-638-7922 or 928-638-7688. For additional information on hantavirus or plague and for tips on prevention, please visit the Centers for Disease Control web site at HYPERLINK "http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/index.htm" http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/index.htm. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer] Denali NP&P Moose Poachers Sentenced While on an aerial hunting patrol on the afternoon of September 17, 2006, park pilot Colin Milone saw two hunters with a moose down inside the park. The kill site was north of the Stampede Road corridor in the northwest corner of the park. Accessing the area early the following morning, first by ATV and then by helicopter, rangers apprehended D.N. of Anderson, Alaska, and R.M. of Nenana, Alaska. They had killed a young bull moose and illegally driven two ATV's across approximately two miles of tundra to the site. Both were charged under 36 CFR with the illegal taking of wildlife and off-road travel. In a pre-trial motion, defense counsel sought dismissal based on lack of mens rea, or criminal intent. In ruling for the government, the magistrate judge found that mens rea, including knowledge of the defendants' location in the park, is not required in order to support a finding of guilt on both counts. The court ruled that park regulations are subject to a strict liability standard. The case went to trial in federal court in Fairbanks on August 23rd, and both men were subsequently found guilty. Following a sentencing hearing on November 1st, D.N. and R.M. were placed on two years probation. Both lost their hunting privileges for a year and each was fined $2,000 and ordered to pay $2,160 in restitution. In his sentencing remarks, the magistrate judge noted that this case had been “an interesting journey” for the court and had taken more court time than some felony cases. The park received outstanding help on this important case from assistant United States attorney Stephen Cooper, who is believed to be the longest serving AUSA in the country. Talkeetna-based mountaineering ranger John Leonard was the lead investigator on the case. [Peter D. Armington, Chief Ranger] Colorado NM Woman Commits Suicide By Driving Off Cliff A 57-year-old woman from Grand Junction committed suicide by driving her car off a 250-foot-high cliff about a mile west of Cold Shivers Point along Rim Rock Drive on October 30th. Late on that afternoon, a Federal Highway Administration engineer was inspecting Rim Rock Drive when he spotted a white Subaru at the bottom of Red Canyon. Park rangers and personnel from several agencies responded. Members of the Mesa County technical rescue team rappelled to the vehicle and made an attempt to remove the body from the wreckage. At approximately 9 p.m., the operation was called off due to darkness. The next morning, rangers and the Mesa County SAR team removed the body with extraction tools and hauled it to the top of the cliff. A suicide note was found in the woman's home. Rangers investigated along with Mesa County Sheriff's Office and Colorado State Patrol officers. [Phil Akers, Chief Ranger] OTHER NEWS The following stories (among others) can be read on InsideNPS: Office of International Affairs - The NPS is seeking comments on applications made by 35 sites around the country for inclusion on UNESCO's listing of World Heritage Sites. The preparation of a new list, led by the Department of the Interior, is the first such endeavor in 25 years and signals a new era in U.S. engagement with the World Heritage Convention. HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=5961" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=5961 Alaska Region - Employees in the Alaska Region are celebrating the dawn of the "Interpretation and Education Renaissance." Nearly 80 participants began to implement the I&E Renaissance Action Plan in Anchorage between October 16th and 18th, including several federal, state, private-sector and non-profit partners. HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=5941" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=5941 Vietnam Veterans Memorial - News story: “On November 13th, the memorial turns 25. The criticism that dogged the project in its early days—its unconventional design, its black color, its lack of ornamentation—has given way to appreciation of its simple, emotional power.” HYPERLINK "http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/2007/11/03/milestone-for-a-memorial-that-has-touched.html" http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/2007/11/03/milestone-for-a-memorial-that-has-touched.html * * * * * Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the support of the Office of the Chief Information Officer and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov, 570-686-3828). --- ### --- |