NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

Monday, October 31, 2011

INCIDENTS

Grand Teton NP

Hunter Injured By Bear

A 32-year-old Jackson man hunting in the park was injured by a bear late yesterday morning. The incident occurred along the east side of the Snake River between Blacktail Ponds and Glacier View Overlooks. Protection rangers and resource management personnel are conducting an investigation of the incident. At this point it is too early to determine what species of bear was involved, the nature of the man's injuries, or if this was a defensive or predatory encounter. The man was carrying bear spray and following the recommended protocols for hunting in bear country. He told rangers that he dropped to the ground and covered his head when he spotted the bear, and that he did not fire any shots at it. He also said that he had not killed any elk that morning. Rangers and county deputies treated his injuries and got him to the roadside, where he was met by a park ambulance and transported to St. Johns Medical Center in Jackson for further treatment. Attacks by bears within the park are extremely rare. Only six have been reported in Grand Teton's history, none fatal. In 2007 a female grizzly bear with cubs mauled a jogger near Jackson Lake Lodge in a surprise encounter. Signs indicating that bear are frequenting the area have been placed near the spot where the hunter was injured. [Jenny Anzelmo-Sarles, Public Affairs]

Redwood N&SP

Missing Man Found And Rescued

On the afternoon of October 18th, rangers in the North District began search for a missing visitor in the vicinity of the Enderts Beach parking area. A 35-year-old man left his vehicle parked in the roadway with a cryptic note displayed. Investigation revealed that he was struggling with psychological problems and might be contemplating suicide. NPS rangers and members of the Del Norte County Search and Rescue team began a hasty search of the beach and trails, but search efforts were suspended at nightfall due to poor visibility and environmental hazards. The search continued the next morning, this time including two dog teams and a Coast Guard helicopter. An observer in the helicopter spotted the man on the bluffs above Enderts Beach around 11 a.m. Indications were that he needed assistance. He was hoisted on board the helicopter and transported to a local hospital. The man was cold, hungry, and thirsty, and found to have sustained numerous cuts and bruises. Otherwise, he was physically fine. He was psychologically evaluated by hospital medical staff and released the next day. [Lorant Veress, North District 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/):

Rocky Mountain NP - The Alpine Interagency Hotshot Crew, based in Rocky Mountain National Park, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and will be holding a reunion in Estes Park in November.

Park Facility Management Division - The September/October issue of Park Facility Management Division Update is now available on line. A link is provided.

Department of the Interior - The Department of Interior has announced that the 2011 Honor Award Convocation, tentatively set for November 16th, has been rescheduled and will now be held in March.

Buffalo NR - Becky Brock, concessions specialist at Buffalo National River, is retiring on December 31st after a 31-year federal career that included 20 years with the National Park Service. Photo.

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The Morning Report is a publication of the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, produced with the support of the Office of the Assistant Director for Information Resources and 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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