NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

Monday, November 1, 2010

INCIDENTS

Olympic NP

Investigation Into Fatal Goat Goring Continues

The preliminary investigation of the October 16th fatal mountain goat goring near Klahhane Ridge has concluded and the findings were consistent with initial accounts of the incident. Witnesses and others in the area at the time describe an aggressive male mountain goat that approached, followed and fatally gored R.B. while he was hiking. Following the fatal encounter, the goat stood over R.B. until several visitors, including an off-duty National Park Service employee, succeeded in scaring off the goat. First aid and CPR were administered at the scene and a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter transported R.B. to Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles, where he was pronounced dead. Following the incident, the goat was positively identified by park rangers and destroyed. A necropsy and comprehensive tissue analysis were conducted on the goat and preliminary results have been released. A wide range of tests, including the initial visual examination during necropsy, followed by microscopic study of the major organs and a battery of diagnostic tests, have not revealed any signs of disease or other physical abnormalities. The goat is estimated to have weighed over 350 pounds. Tests for rabies virus, encephalitis virus, plague and tularemia revealed no evidence of those diseases. Salt concentrations in the animal's urine were within normal limits. Tissue analysis showed that the goat was in breeding condition or “rut.” Additional diagnostic tests for several diseases are still ongoing, including listeria and chronic wasting disease, as are several chemical assessments for key nutrients. Rangers and wildlife biologists conducted daily goat behavior monitoring patrols during the week of October 18th, but these have not continued since snowfall began on October 24th - nearly two feet of snow is now on the ground at Hurricane Ridge. Up to eight goats were seen in a day but there were no observations of aggressive mountain goat behavior. Some goats appeared to be habituated to human presence, but quickly moved away when people yelled or waved their arms. Patrols will resume this fall if weather and snow conditions permit. Once winter weather begins, mountain goats typically move to their winter range, which varies from herd to herd. Winter range for goats in the Hurricane/Klahhane area is primarily along a rocky, windswept ridge north and east of Klahhane Ridge. Park biologists, in collaboration with biologists from neighboring land and wildlife management agencies, have solicited and have been receiving information about mountain goat-human interactions from across the animals' range. Park staff will incorporate all new information learned through this incident into the park's nuisance and hazardous animal plan. [Barb Maynes, Public Affairs Officer]

New River Gorge NR

Local Man Commits Suicide At Grandview

On Monday, October 25th, rangers received a report that a local man was headed to Grandview and that he was planning on committing suicide. During the morning, the man had made numerous phone calls to family and friends declaring his intent. Rangers and other park staff responded. Before they could get to Grandview, the man's mother found him on top of Turkey Spur rock, a scenic overlook within the park, suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Once on scene, rangers and NPS fire personnel provided advanced life support along with members of two local ambulance services. He was flown to Charleston Area Medical Center by Healthnet Aeromedical Services, where he succumbed to his injury two days later. Rangers led the investigation and recovered a suicide note, the firearm, his cell phone, and other items from the scene. [Frank Sellers, Acting Chief Ranger]

OTHER NEWS

The following stories are among those in today's edition of InsideNPS. To see the full text, including images, NPS employees should go to the InsideNPS home page ( HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index). Non-NPS employees can see most of them on the NPS Digest page ( HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/):

James A. Garfield NHS - Baltimore-based actor David Keltz, the nation's foremost Edgar Allan Poe presenter, appeared in character in two performances at the park on Thursday, October 28th.

Sand Creek Massacre NHS - In a solemn ceremony marked by reflection, prayer, and traditional songs, the partial remains of a tribal person killed during the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre were returned to and buried in the cemetery at the site. Photo.

Park Facility Management Division - Nominations are now being accepted for the FY 2011 NPS environmental achievement awards. They are due by December 14th.

Visitor and Resource Protection - The opportunity to apply to the NPI Executive Leadership Seminar has been extended until November 5th.

Submerged Resources Center - The National Park Service dive program is pleased to announce that the newly-created position of national dive safety officer has been filled by Steven H. Sellers. Photo.

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Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the support of the Office of the Chief Information Officer. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov).

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