It's 2011....and people are still feeding wild animals!
A habituated gray wolf believed to be conditioned to human foods was killed by Yellowstone National Park staff on October 8th.
Since July, the 110-pound male wolf had approached staff and visitors at close range at least seven times and had been unsuccessfully hazed each time from the Fishing Bridge developed areas. The wolf was a member of Mollie's Pack from the Pelican Valley area, and was estimated to be between 2 and 4 years old.
The decision to remove the wolf came following a history of fearless behavior in the presence of humans, repeated visitation to developed areas within the park and numerous unsuccessful hazing attempts. Each of these factors was indicative of the wolf's potential habituation to human food, which posed an increased risk to park visitors and staff.
Efforts to relocate food-conditioned animals have generally proven unsuccessful because they simply return to the areas from which they were removed.
What does it take for people to understand that feeding wildlife is bad for the animal, and potentially bad for other people? You can read the rest of the press release by clicking here.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Online Tour of "Land of Many Stories"
A Glacier National Park Centennial exhibit entitled Land of Many Stories is now a virtual tour of the exhibit, and is just a mouse click away. The exhibit represents the rich history of the park and features a wide diversity of tangible artifacts from the early 1900s to today.
The exhibit explores the many ways people have used and enjoyed the area now known as Glacier National Park from pre-European contact to present day and illustrates how, although much has changed over the years, a great deal remains the same for today's visitor.
The virtual Land of Many Stories exhibit is a collaboration to help make the exhibit accessible to more people. Deirdre Shaw, Glacier National Park Museum Curator and Jennifer Bottomly-O'Looney, Montana Historical Society Curator of Collections developed the content for the virtual exhibit; Glacier Interpretive Specialist David Restivo designed the on-line tour. Not every artifact is highlighted but the virtual tour gives viewers a taste of the exhibit through the use still photography to create the online experience.
Website visitors are able to get an overview of the exhibit and then take a closer look at items of interest. Virtual visitors can experience a wide variety of exhibits including ornate Glacier Park Hotel Company china, Native American tools and arrowheads, park ranger equipment and initials carved in a tree carved by one of Glacier’s first rangers.
Funded through a donation by the Burlington Northern Sante Fe Foundation (to the Glacier National Park Fund) the exhibit is the product of a partnership between Glacier National Park, the Montana Historical Society, Glacier National Park Fund.
The Land of Many Stories and virtual tours of the Going-to-the-Sun Road construction and a few popular park hikes are viewable at:
http://www.nps.gov/glac/photosmultimedia/virtualtour.htm
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
The exhibit explores the many ways people have used and enjoyed the area now known as Glacier National Park from pre-European contact to present day and illustrates how, although much has changed over the years, a great deal remains the same for today's visitor.
The virtual Land of Many Stories exhibit is a collaboration to help make the exhibit accessible to more people. Deirdre Shaw, Glacier National Park Museum Curator and Jennifer Bottomly-O'Looney, Montana Historical Society Curator of Collections developed the content for the virtual exhibit; Glacier Interpretive Specialist David Restivo designed the on-line tour. Not every artifact is highlighted but the virtual tour gives viewers a taste of the exhibit through the use still photography to create the online experience.
Website visitors are able to get an overview of the exhibit and then take a closer look at items of interest. Virtual visitors can experience a wide variety of exhibits including ornate Glacier Park Hotel Company china, Native American tools and arrowheads, park ranger equipment and initials carved in a tree carved by one of Glacier’s first rangers.
Funded through a donation by the Burlington Northern Sante Fe Foundation (to the Glacier National Park Fund) the exhibit is the product of a partnership between Glacier National Park, the Montana Historical Society, Glacier National Park Fund.
The Land of Many Stories and virtual tours of the Going-to-the-Sun Road construction and a few popular park hikes are viewable at:
http://www.nps.gov/glac/photosmultimedia/virtualtour.htm
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Video: Tyler Bradt's record 186-foot Kayak Drop
Check-out the insane video footage of kayaker Tyler Bradt paddling over the 186-foot Palouse Falls in Washington State.
The April 21st, 2009 run over Palouse Falls smashes the previous world record of 127 feet, set this past March by Brazilian Pedro Oliveira. Oliveira broke Bradt’s former record of 107-feet set at Alexandra Falls in Canada.
Afterwards, Bradt said he was a little sore, and suffered a sprained wrist. Notice the broken paddle after he resurfaces at the bottom - I imagine that wrist injury occurred about the same time that paddle broke.
In an interview with kayaksession.com, Bradt discussed some of safety precautions his team set-up prior to the run: "There was cell service at the waterfall in case of an emergency and Spokane is 60 air miles from the waterfall. We had medical equipment and ways to stabilize me in case of a back injury. We had two boats at the bottom and a person ready to repel behind the falls with a throw bag. We thought through the different scenarios and prepared for them all."
Here's the video:
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
The April 21st, 2009 run over Palouse Falls smashes the previous world record of 127 feet, set this past March by Brazilian Pedro Oliveira. Oliveira broke Bradt’s former record of 107-feet set at Alexandra Falls in Canada.
Afterwards, Bradt said he was a little sore, and suffered a sprained wrist. Notice the broken paddle after he resurfaces at the bottom - I imagine that wrist injury occurred about the same time that paddle broke.
In an interview with kayaksession.com, Bradt discussed some of safety precautions his team set-up prior to the run: "There was cell service at the waterfall in case of an emergency and Spokane is 60 air miles from the waterfall. We had medical equipment and ways to stabilize me in case of a back injury. We had two boats at the bottom and a person ready to repel behind the falls with a throw bag. We thought through the different scenarios and prepared for them all."
Here's the video:
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Free Workshop for Early Childhood Educators
Glacier National Park, in partnership with the Flathead Community of Resource Educators (CORE), and Project Learning Tree, is sponsoring a free one-day workshop for early childhood teachers and youth group leaders on Thursday, October 20, 2011.
The free workshop will be held at Lone Pine State Park Visitor Center, 300 Lone Pine Road, Kalispell, from 9am to 3:30pm. Teachers can receive six Office of Public Instruction renewal units for attending.
The training offers pre-school and elementary school teachers, daycare providers, home-school parents, 4-H leaders, Girl and Boy Scout leaders and others an opportunity to explore many of the educational trunks available for use in classrooms, at troop or group gatherings or outdoor education programs.
Educational trunks about forests and timber, wetlands, wolves, birds, bears, fire in the ecosystem and more will be featured at the workshop. In addition, Project Learning Tree (PLT) facilitators will be presenting activities from the new PLT Early Childhood Guidebook. All participants will receive a copy of the guidebook. There is no cost for the workshop due to sponsorship from Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and Plum Creek Timber Company.
Participants must register in advance as there are only 20 slots available. Teachers can register for the workshop through PIRnet at www.kalnet.io-solutions.com/pir. Other youth group leaders may register by calling Patti Mason at 406-752-4220. For more information about the Flathead Community of Resource Educators (CORE) visit www.flatheadcore.org.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
The free workshop will be held at Lone Pine State Park Visitor Center, 300 Lone Pine Road, Kalispell, from 9am to 3:30pm. Teachers can receive six Office of Public Instruction renewal units for attending.
The training offers pre-school and elementary school teachers, daycare providers, home-school parents, 4-H leaders, Girl and Boy Scout leaders and others an opportunity to explore many of the educational trunks available for use in classrooms, at troop or group gatherings or outdoor education programs.
Educational trunks about forests and timber, wetlands, wolves, birds, bears, fire in the ecosystem and more will be featured at the workshop. In addition, Project Learning Tree (PLT) facilitators will be presenting activities from the new PLT Early Childhood Guidebook. All participants will receive a copy of the guidebook. There is no cost for the workshop due to sponsorship from Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and Plum Creek Timber Company.
Participants must register in advance as there are only 20 slots available. Teachers can register for the workshop through PIRnet at www.kalnet.io-solutions.com/pir. Other youth group leaders may register by calling Patti Mason at 406-752-4220. For more information about the Flathead Community of Resource Educators (CORE) visit www.flatheadcore.org.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
Monday, October 10, 2011
Visitors Asked To Be Bear Aware in Glacier
Glacier is home to many large mammals including elk, moose, deer, bears, wolves, mountain lions, lynx, wolverines, bighorn sheep and mountain goats to name a few. Drivers need to always be alert in the park as vehicle encounters with wildlife can be fatal or cause serious injury to both the animal and people. Every year thousands of animals die on national park roads throughout the U.S. Drivers are reminded to obey all park speed limits, and adjust for conditions such as rain and darkness.
Park managers recommend that hikers always carry bear spray while in bear country. Park Superintendent Chas Cartwright noted, “Be knowledgeable about how to use bear spray and have it readily accessible and not stowed away in a pack.” Bear spray is meant to be used in the case of imminent attacks only and is not intended to be used as a repellent. It should never be sprayed on gear (hiking and/or camping equipment) or around campsites. “Under no circumstances should bear spray create a false sense of security or serve as a substitute for standard safety precautions in bear country,” Cartwright added.
Park hikers, backpackers and campers are all urged to familiarize themselves with standard safety precautions and to follow them when in bear country. These precautions include:
· Never travel alone or after dark
· Make (loud) reoccurring noise when in bear country (especially near streams, brushy areas, hilltops and blind curves)
· Keep children close by and within sight
· Always be aware of local surroundings
· Keep observant and alert for evidence of bears and mountain lions and/or their activity
· Do not approach any wildlife; use binoculars, telescopes, or telephoto lenses to get closer looks
· Trail running is not recommended as it can lead to surprising bears at close range
Visitors are also reminded to keep food and other attractants stored in hard-sided vehicles or bear-proof food storage boxes and never leave food unattended in campgrounds or picnic areas. Garbage must be deposited into a bear-resistant trash can or dumpster. These actions help keep bears from becoming conditioned to human food, and help keep park visitors and their personal property safe.
Cartwright notes that Glacier National Park can be filled with many potential dangers. “We want everyone to have a safe experience while they visit and enjoy the park.” Go to the park’s web page for details about: Bears, Mountain Lions, Wildlife, Water and Watch Your Step at http://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/yoursafety.htm.
Visitors should report any bear or mountain lion sightings or signs of bear or mountain lion activity to the nearest visitor center or ranger station or by calling 406-888-7800 as soon as possible. This information helps park rangers keep animals away from unnatural food sources as well as helps prevent wildlife from becoming habituated to humans.
For further information on Glacier National Park, visit the park’s web site at www.nps.gov/glac or call 406-888-7800.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
Park managers recommend that hikers always carry bear spray while in bear country. Park Superintendent Chas Cartwright noted, “Be knowledgeable about how to use bear spray and have it readily accessible and not stowed away in a pack.” Bear spray is meant to be used in the case of imminent attacks only and is not intended to be used as a repellent. It should never be sprayed on gear (hiking and/or camping equipment) or around campsites. “Under no circumstances should bear spray create a false sense of security or serve as a substitute for standard safety precautions in bear country,” Cartwright added.
Park hikers, backpackers and campers are all urged to familiarize themselves with standard safety precautions and to follow them when in bear country. These precautions include:
· Never travel alone or after dark
· Make (loud) reoccurring noise when in bear country (especially near streams, brushy areas, hilltops and blind curves)
· Keep children close by and within sight
· Always be aware of local surroundings
· Keep observant and alert for evidence of bears and mountain lions and/or their activity
· Do not approach any wildlife; use binoculars, telescopes, or telephoto lenses to get closer looks
· Trail running is not recommended as it can lead to surprising bears at close range
Visitors are also reminded to keep food and other attractants stored in hard-sided vehicles or bear-proof food storage boxes and never leave food unattended in campgrounds or picnic areas. Garbage must be deposited into a bear-resistant trash can or dumpster. These actions help keep bears from becoming conditioned to human food, and help keep park visitors and their personal property safe.
Cartwright notes that Glacier National Park can be filled with many potential dangers. “We want everyone to have a safe experience while they visit and enjoy the park.” Go to the park’s web page for details about: Bears, Mountain Lions, Wildlife, Water and Watch Your Step at http://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/yoursafety.htm.
Visitors should report any bear or mountain lion sightings or signs of bear or mountain lion activity to the nearest visitor center or ranger station or by calling 406-888-7800 as soon as possible. This information helps park rangers keep animals away from unnatural food sources as well as helps prevent wildlife from becoming habituated to humans.
For further information on Glacier National Park, visit the park’s web site at www.nps.gov/glac or call 406-888-7800.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
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