Video-Ohs – Unwitting Killers in our National Parks

The video below is of a photographer who was taking photographs of a young male elk in one of our national parks and even though he was abiding by all the rules, the elk started to manifest aggressive behavior. This, unfortunately, would lead to the end of the elk.

As someone who enjoys hiking in our national parks and photographing all wildlife in a safe and respectful manner, I find this very sad.

You can read the follow up below, under the video, for the details. The video itself is an interesting lesson regarding such confrontations.

The notes below are copied from the YouTube page:

Update: I’ve been in contact with the photographer in the above video and we would both like to issue a statement regarding the news of the National Park Service’s decision to put the elk down.

My statement:
I am deeply saddened by the fate of the elk. It has certainly pulled a black cloud over this whirlwind “viral video” experience.

I spoke to the reporter who broke the story and she assured me the decision was based on a pattern of aggressive behavior that began prior to the incident documented in this video. The behavior was the result of visitors feeding the elk and conditioning them to seek food from humans. This video only serves as an example of the elk’s dangerous behavior, not an impetus to it.

Again, it brings me great sadness to learn of this beautiful animal’s demise and the unfortunate circumstances surrounding it.
I’m looking into a destination for proceeds from this video to help the NPS educate visitors on the dangers and consequences of feeding wildlife.

I also want to be clear that James, the photographer, was not complicit in a behavior that led to the elk’s demise, but rather was made an example of the result of such behaviors. The elk approached him from behind, likely looking for food as he was conditioned to do.

Statement from James (the photographer):
I love and respect animals and that’s why I photograph them and don’t hunt them. I am deeply hurt by the loss of such a beautiful creature that in its own way bonded with me. I looked forward to watching him grow to a mature bull as the years passed.

I’m truly heartbroken to know he is gone.

Original video description:

While photographing elk at sunrise in the Cataloochee Valley of Great Smoky Mountains National Park I turned around to see what appeared to be just a curious young bull sniffing a photographer’s camera. I snapped a few frames of the apparent harmless encounter.

But the elk became more interested in making trouble than simply the scent of a camera. He started physically harassing the photographer, escallating to full on head-butts.

I quickly switched the camera to video and let it roll (much of the time wondering when I should seriously consider intervening).

Most people who see this ask why the photographer seems to just take the abuse. I asked him in an email what was going through his head. This is his response:

“My first thoughts were “wow, he’s getting pretty damn close here.” But I’ve been up close before without incident. I hoped being still and passive would see him pass on. When he lowered his antlers to me, I wanted to keep my vitals protected and my head down. I felt that standing up would provoke him more and leave me more vulnerable to goring. I think that while protecting myself with my head down, having my head down was a signal that I was rutting with him. I was concerned at first, but when he started rearing back and lunging at me later on, I got scared and pissed off. That’s when I wagged my finger at him to cut that shit out. I was relieved to see the Ranger coming.

So I guess at some point if the Ranger hadn’t of pulled up, I would have had to disengage the best I could. I’ve joked with my friends that at least he took me for a buck and not a cow!”

 

More Vide – Ohs

To See additional Interesting Videos, click HERE


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All original content on this blog is copyrighted by Jeffrey B. Ross with ALL Rights Reserved. While reference links back to JBRish.com are appreciated and encouraged, please acquire approval for any reproduction of original content from this website.

©Jeffrey B. Ross 2014 – 2018 – JBRish.com



A very poignant look at an old institution in New York City, a chess shop. This short documentary tells a compelling tale.

chess, institution, old, social, competition, compelling, life, living, work, occupation, game, thrilling, friendship, intergenerational, New York City, documentary, video, story, poignant, gratifying, opportunity

Vide-Ohs: Need Hugs? Animals & Humans

I bet you can’t watch this without smiling; really! Animals and humans hugging each other. This short 1:28 video demonstrates how we are all connected.

From The YouTube Page:

“A compassionate world starts with you.”

 

More Vide – Ohs

To See additional Interesting Videos, click HERE


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All original content on this blog is copyrighted by Jeffrey B. Ross with ALL Rights Reserved. While reference links back to JBRish.com are appreciated and encouraged, please acquire approval for any reproduction of original content from this website.

©Jeffrey B. Ross – 2018 – JBRish.com



Your face, their house – Mighty Mites


Demodex mite

Picture courtesy of the Obfuscation of Reality blogspot

According to a a piece updated on June 1st, on the Vox Media website, almost all of us host millions of mites that live on our bodies and crawl along our faces to look for food and places to live. We may not like it, but it has been this way for a long, long time and scientists really don’t know if this is a good or bad thing.

According to the article, Holly Menninger is working on a study to find out more about these mites and she is quoted saying: “‘We joke that the mites come out to party, because they have sex on your face at night.'”

The video below shows you an up close and personal look at Demodex, forehead mite (400X zoom).



Read the rest of the article at the link below:

Don’t freak out, but there are thousands of mites living all over your face