Tag: Crime

Grand Teton launches probe after bison calf is harassed in park

Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park is asking the public for help in identifying two men who were photographed harassing a bison calf.

Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park is asking the public for help in identifying two men who were photographed harassing a bison calf.

A park news release states that the men were spotted approaching and touching the baby bison Sunday at about 1 p.m.

The news release contains the following advisory:

“If you were in the Elk Ranch Flats area on the afternoon of June 4, and have information that could help in this investigation, or if you know who these individuals are (pictured), please call the park Tip Line 307-739-3367. If you see any harassment of wildlife happening in the park, you may also call the Teton Interagency Dispatch Center at 307-739-3301 to report the incident.”

Grand Teton National Park is hoping somebody can ID these men.

Park regulations require tourists to remain at least 25 yards from bison.

The same rule is in effect in Yellowstone National Park, just to the north, where more than 5,000 bison reside.

ALSO: Yellowstone guide saves motorist from momma grizzly bear’s wrath

Bison give birth to calves early each spring. They’re commonly referred to as “red dogs” because their coats are reddish in the first several weeks of their lives.

Approaching or touching bison is considered harassment. Grand Teton National Park explained:

“Interference by people can cause wildlife to reject their offspring. In this case, fortunately, the calf was successfully reunited with its herd, but often these interactions result in euthanizing the animal. Approaching wildlife can drastically affect their well-being and survival.”

–Top image showing a “red dog” bison is courtesy of ©Pete Thomas

Details emerge regarding robbery of two Browns players over the weekend

New details emerged on Tuesday regarding the robbery of two Browns players over the weekend

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New details have emerged regarding crimes committed against two Cleveland Browns over the weekend.

Defensive back Greg Newsome II and lineman Perrion Winfrey were the victims of an armed robbery by six masked men early on Monday morning. Neither were harmed during the incident but, according to ESPN, the suspects left the scene in Newsome’s vehicle with stolen jewelry in tow.

Running back Demetric Felton also had his car stolen over the weekend, though preliminary reports haven’t indicated that he was present at the time of the theft.

It is worth noting that quarterback Deshaun Watson was the victim of car theft earlier in the year, and at this time it is unclear whether any of these incidents are related.

News about the spate of crimes came on Tuesday just before the Browns reported to Berea for Cleveland’s mandatory minicamp. Developments in the story are sure to follow, so stay tuned to Browns Wire for all the facts about this regrettable incident.

Browns players Greg Newsome, Demetric Felton had cars stolen over the weekend

Two #Browns players had their vehicles stolen over the weekend

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Cleveland.com has reported that two Cleveland Browns players were robbed of their vehicles over the weekend. Running back Demetric Felton and cornerback Greg Newsome were the victims of the senseless carjackings. Late Monday night Newsome commented on the situation with a tweet reading “it’s a cruel world we live in”.

News about the thefts came after quarterback Deshaun Watson had his vehicle stolen from a dealership earlier this year. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries from either of the incidents in the past week, though the situation is, obviously, regrettable for all parties involved.

It is unclear if these crimes are related in any way, or if the Browns’ players are being deliberately targeted. Information regarding this spate of thefts is relatively scarce, but with three players now involved, the media is sure to get more involved in reporting details as they become available.

Stay tuned to Browns Wire for updates on the situation.

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Man who caused bison calf death is fined; does penalty fit the crime?

A Yellowstone National Park visitor pleaded guilty to intentionally disturbing wildlife.

The Yellowstone National Park visitor who caused the death of a bison calf by his reckless actions pleaded guilty to one count of feeding, touching, teasing, frightening or intentionally disturbing wildlife on May 31.

Clifford Walters of Hawaii intentionally disturbed a bison calf by trying to push it up from the Lamar River after it became separated from its mother and the herd when they crossed the river.

Walters pushed the struggling calf up from the river and onto the roadway where visitors later observed the calf walking up to and following cars and people.

Also on FTW Outdoors: Bear swims for its life after getting swept away in raging rapids (video)

“Interference by people can cause wildlife to reject their offspring,” Yellowstone National Park stated in a previous press release. “In this case, park rangers tried repeatedly to reunite the calf with the herd. These efforts failed. The calf was later killed by park staff because it was abandoned by the herd and causing a hazardous situation by approaching cars and people along the roadway.”

For his irresponsible actions, Walters was charged a $500 fine, a $500 Community Service payment to Yellowstone Forever Wildlife Protection Fund, a $30 special assessment, and a $10 processing fee, this according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice District of Wyoming.

Yellowstone National Park law enforcement officers investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christyne M. Martens.

“There was nothing in the report that revealed Mr. Walters acted maliciously,” the news release stated. Nevertheless, there are those who might question whether the relatively small penalty fits the crime, particularly in light of all the warnings the park issues and posts.

For those who need a reminder, the press release stated:

“Yellowstone National Park wants to remind the public that approaching wild animals can drastically affect their well-being and, in this case, their survival.

“Park regulations require that people stay at least 25 yards away from all wildlife (including bison, elk and deer) and at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves. Disregarding these regulations can result in fines, injury and even death. The safety of these animals, as well as human safety, depends on everyone using good judgment and following these simple rules.”

Man arrested in Yellowstone National Park, body found in car

Authorities have launched an investigation after a woman’s body was found inside a vehicle in Yellowstone National Park.

Authorities have launched an investigation after a body was found inside a vehicle in Yellowstone National Park.

The park explained that rangers on Saturday discovered a vehicle that had crashed into a snowbank, and a male standing outside. A deceased female was found inside the vehicle.

“The male was detained and subsequently arrested for drug possession and other traffic-related charges,” the park stated in a news release. “Investigators are determining what led to the female’s death and attempting to complete next-of-kin notifications.”

The vehicle was discovered on Craig Pass south of Old Faithful. Additional information was not disclosed.

The investigation involves the National Park Service, FBI, U.S. Attorney’s Office, and Teton County Coroner’s Office.

–Image courtesy of Yellowstone National Park

Man arrested for ‘idiotic antics’ near roadside elephant; video

A man in India was caught on video recently confronting a large elephant and seemingly offering prayer gestures with the confused animal just feet away.

A man in India was caught on video recently confronting a large elephant and seemingly offering prayer gestures with the confused animal just feet away.

Susanta Nanda of the Indian Forest Service tweeted the accompanying footage on May 11 and alluded to the unpredictable nature of elephants when challenged in such a manner.

“Anymore proof that elephants are gentle giants?” Nanda wrote. “But wild can be wild anytime. Don’t try these idiotic antics.”

Motorists can be heard honking at the man, whose actions inspired a bluff charge from an elephant that otherwise exhibited remarkable restraint.

ALSO: Yellowstone bison stampede like a scene from ‘old westerns’

The honking and traffic might have made a dangerous situation even more dangerous.

Elephants are revered in India and there are laws designed to protect them from harassment.

On May 12 Nanda updated his post to say that the man had been “arrested and taken into custody.”

Alluding to the District Forest Office division involved in the arrest, Nanda wrote: “Well done DFO Dharmapuri. This should serve as a deterrent to others.”

Probe launched as grizzly bear is found dead near Yellowstone

The discovery of a grizzly bear carcass outside of Yellowstone National Park on Monday has prompted investigations by Wyoming and federal authorities.

The discovery of a grizzly bear carcass in outside Yellowstone National Park on Monday has prompted a federal investigation.

The carcass was lying on a Wyoming hillside perhaps 40 yards from the North Fork Highway between Yellowstone and the town of Cody.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has not provided details about the incident. Nor has the agency addressed social media reports that the bear appeared to have been shot.

A spokesman for the agency told FTW Outdoors:

“Grizzly bears are currently managed as a federally protected species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is assisting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the investigation.

“No further details are available at this time because it is an ongoing investigation.”

Amy Gerber of Cub Creek Photography on Monday posted an image of what she believed was the same large male bear she saw alive more than a week ago. Gerber estimated the bear’s weight at 500 pounds.

Grizzly bear carcass discovered Monday. Photo: ©Amy Wells

Amy Wells captured the image in the body of this text, showing the carcass. (The top image is generic.) More of Wells’ graphic images were shared Monday on a Yellowstone-themed Facebook page.

Grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem continue to emerge from hibernation and search for food in lower elevations. Close encounters with humans often occur during this period.

Anyone with information regarding the dead bear is asked to contact the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

–Generic grizzly bear image atop this post is courtesy of Yellowstone National Park

Reward offered after video shows boater speeding over sea lions

A reward of up to $20,000 is being offered in the hope of identifying and prosecuting a boater who was caught on video speeding over sea lions earlier this month in the Columbia River.

A $20,000 reward is being offered as federal authorities seek to identify and prosecute a boater who was caught on video speeding over sea lions earlier this month in the Columbia River.

NOAA launched an investigation after the footage, captured April 3 by a Portland resident, began to circulate via social media. (The footage is posted below.)

It shows the boater plowing over groups of sea lions, in apparent violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, as the animals rested on the surface near Hayden Island.

Oregon Live reported Friday that NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement is offering the reward for information that leads to a “civic penalty or criminal conviction.”

The Marine Mammal Protection Act, passed in 1972, prohibits the hunting or harassment of marine mammals. Harassment is any act that significantly alters the mammals’ behavior.

The number of California sea lions – the same animals that inhabit the Columbia River – has increased steadily since the passage of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Recent estimates place the West Coast population at about 280,000.

Fishermen often express frustration regarding sea lions, which possess a seemingly insatiable appetite for salmon and other fishes. But blatant acts of aggression toward sea lions rarely occur in open public settings.

According to Oregon Live, the vessel in question is an aluminum Hewescraft Pro-V Sea Runner with a dark blue stripe, measuring perhaps 20 feet.

Authorities are asking anyone who might recognize the boat or be able to identify the boater reach out to NOAA at 360-310-0259, or via its hotline at 800-853-1964.

Hunter feels ‘violated’ after theft of enormous elk-head trophy

An Oklahoma man is offering a $1,000 reward to anyone who can help him retrieve a massive elk-head trophy that was stolen from above his outdoor fireplace.

An Oklahoma man is offering a $1,000 reward to anyone who can help him retrieve a massive elk-head trophy that was stolen from above his outdoor fireplace.

Robert Daniels of Edmond shot the 1,200-pound bull elk while hunting in New Mexico in 2018. He told KFOR that the animal was large that he required the help of two friends to hang the head after it had been preserved by a taxidermist.

“It’s one of those deals I can’t replace no matter what,” he said. “It just breaks my heart.”

Daniels, who filed a report with the Edmond Police Department, valued the mount at $20,000.

Images courtesy of Robert Daniels

Sayra Lynn, a family friend, on Sunday issued a plea via Facebook to anyone who might have witnessed the theft to contact Daniels. Her post includes an image of Daniels posing with the elk after the hunt, and images showing the mount above the fireplace.

ALSO: Yellowstone guide captures intriguing moment shared by cougar, elk

“This mount was located in the backyard outdoor pavilion within the gated community,” Lynn wrote. “These are photos of the mount for identification.”

Daniels told KFOR: “We feel violated. Why would somebody do this? It just amazes me.”

As of Friday afternoon, police had no suspects or surveillance video of the incident.

Idaho conservation officer shoots dog for chasing, killing deer

A conservation officer in Idaho this week made the “tough choice” to shoot and kill a dog as it was chasing deer.

A conservation officer in Idaho this week made the “tough choice” to shoot and kill a dog as it was chasing deer.

According to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the officer was responding to an unrelated call on April 10 in south Pocatello when he was approached by citizens who had just watched two dogs chase and kill a fawn.

After inspecting the dead fawn, the officer witnessed one of the dogs scattering deer from the shade of junipers and attempting to run them down.

“The officer shot the dog which was engaged in pursuit of the animals,” the IDFG stated in a news release.

ALSO: Yellowstone guide captures intriguing moment shared by cougar, elk

A Bannock County Sheriff’s Office deputy told the IDFG that the office had received reports about the same two dogs harassing deer in recent weeks.

The dead dog was returned to its owner, while the owner of the second dog was cited and fined $136.

“According to state code, it is unlawful for people to allow their dogs to harass, chase, or kill big game animals in Idaho, and Fish and Game officers are authorized to shoot dogs that are actively engaged in those behaviors,” the IDFG stated in the news release.

Jennifer Jackson, a spokeswoman for the agency’s Southeast Region, added:

“It’s tough on our officers to have to make these decisions. Many of our officers are dog owners, too.  But, it’s also tough to watch deer being chased down or killed by people’s pets – especially now after such a hard winter when these deer are so vulnerable.”

–Photo: ©Pete Thomas