Post by jonsdigs on Oct 6, 2006 6:58:15 GMT -5
Teens charged in Bat Cave crimes
Cibola County Beacon, Friday, October 6, 2006
EL MALPAIS NATIONAL MONUMENT - National Park Service rangers and Cibola County Sheriff Office deputies issued $2,700 in fines to nine local youths Tuesday morning.
The youths, reportedly from the Grants and Milan areas and ranging in age from 14 to 17 years old, skipped school Tuesday. Rangers found them entering the closed Bat Cave at the El Calderon hiking trail off of NM 53, according to the service. The service reported that the cave is closed to protect the public's health safety and the four bat species that live there: the Mexican Free-Tailed Bat, the Little Brown Bat, the Pallid Bat and the special Townsend's Big Eared Bat.
CCSO further reported that one youth was cited for possession of marijuana when CCSO found a minimal amount in his car. The youths reportedly killed a rattlesnake with a BB gun and had a sling shot, said CCSO spokesperson Lt. Harry Hall.
“It's a national monument, like the Grand Canyon,” Lt. Hall said, adding that it is also illegal to take weapons and hunt there. A BB gun and slingshot are considered weapons, he said.
The youths violated National Park Service regulations and federal laws, the park service stated.
Full Story:
www.cibolabeacon.com/articles/2006/10/06/news/news3.txt
Cibola County Beacon, Friday, October 6, 2006
EL MALPAIS NATIONAL MONUMENT - National Park Service rangers and Cibola County Sheriff Office deputies issued $2,700 in fines to nine local youths Tuesday morning.
The youths, reportedly from the Grants and Milan areas and ranging in age from 14 to 17 years old, skipped school Tuesday. Rangers found them entering the closed Bat Cave at the El Calderon hiking trail off of NM 53, according to the service. The service reported that the cave is closed to protect the public's health safety and the four bat species that live there: the Mexican Free-Tailed Bat, the Little Brown Bat, the Pallid Bat and the special Townsend's Big Eared Bat.
CCSO further reported that one youth was cited for possession of marijuana when CCSO found a minimal amount in his car. The youths reportedly killed a rattlesnake with a BB gun and had a sling shot, said CCSO spokesperson Lt. Harry Hall.
“It's a national monument, like the Grand Canyon,” Lt. Hall said, adding that it is also illegal to take weapons and hunt there. A BB gun and slingshot are considered weapons, he said.
The youths violated National Park Service regulations and federal laws, the park service stated.
Full Story:
www.cibolabeacon.com/articles/2006/10/06/news/news3.txt