tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651656564842797172.post2715399367970825220..comments2023-10-10T04:18:23.631-04:00Comments on The Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog: In Defense of the Smokies Decision to Euthanize the Cataloochee ElkSmokyMountainshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288538940523306530noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651656564842797172.post-21900541706125635922013-11-29T01:19:09.308-05:002013-11-29T01:19:09.308-05:00Totally agree with the park's decision. It'...Totally agree with the park's decision. It's frustrating when people think wildlife are like pets. They don't think about the consequences. As one commenter mentioned, losing the the elk was indeed sad. But it was that against injuring and most probably losing human lives in the future. HippieHikerhttp://thehikehouse.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651656564842797172.post-37025964495682052482013-11-28T15:58:43.075-05:002013-11-28T15:58:43.075-05:00Completely agree, Jeff. A lot of the angry comment...Completely agree, Jeff. A lot of the angry comments came from folks who have never stepped foot in Cataloochee and obviously do not know that photographers are allowed to shoot from the road. Some people like to get worked up for a cause despite having little knowledge of certain situations!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00297941425308205899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651656564842797172.post-51165055984303139202013-11-27T19:50:39.496-05:002013-11-27T19:50:39.496-05:00Well said! The elk was definitely looking for food...Well said! The elk was definitely looking for food! My dog displays similar actions when she's out of food - fortunately for me she's a heck of a lot smaller and doesn't have antlers. I can't understand why it took someone so long to come to the photographers aid. It was obvious to me that the elk was being aggressive. People see the videos and think "oh poor animal" but they don't get the full story. NPS had no other options - they tried everything. I totally respect wildlife because they are wild and behavior can't be predicted. People don't stop and realize how dangerous a situation could become in the blink of an eye - like with those antlers so near to jugular veins in the neck! There are so many stupid people out there - see them every year at Cades Cove. Saw them in Yellowstone when I was out there. Thank you!ladyvolsfan1954https://www.blogger.com/profile/13743976152985263946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651656564842797172.post-26243856787103154842013-11-27T19:29:53.378-05:002013-11-27T19:29:53.378-05:00Randy and Kristina - thanks for the comments!Randy and Kristina - thanks for the comments!The Smoky Mountain Hikerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05019731497259511008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651656564842797172.post-44338974594193298942013-11-27T13:27:37.919-05:002013-11-27T13:27:37.919-05:00Well said! Thanks for pointing out the number of c...Well said! Thanks for pointing out the number of costly lawsuits visitors are filing against the NPS for adverse experiences most of us would attribute to poor judgement on the part of humans or to the inherent risks of being out in the natural world. National Park Service employees walk a very fine line between protecting the park and it's resources and protecting people. It's a tough, sometimes thankless job.Kristina Plaashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13824258833824532166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651656564842797172.post-1000141195966309372013-11-27T13:17:59.822-05:002013-11-27T13:17:59.822-05:00Well said Jeff. It's important for folks to k...Well said Jeff. It's important for folks to know the whole story and not just spout off with a knee-jerk reaction.Randy Smallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08316951445006694931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651656564842797172.post-76160915076317577422013-11-27T09:05:14.892-05:002013-11-27T09:05:14.892-05:00Thanks Tina!Thanks Tina!The Smoky Mountain Hikerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05019731497259511008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6651656564842797172.post-53145176296549536852013-11-27T08:14:35.322-05:002013-11-27T08:14:35.322-05:00I subscribe to this blog because I love the Smoky ...I subscribe to this blog because I love the Smoky Mountains, Cades Cove most particularly. I do not get to visit often but it is my favorite place in the whole world. Thank you for keeping us all updated and giving the wise advice of respectfully viewing the wildlife. The loss of the young elk is sad but had to be done. I agree with you in all aspects regarding this sad situation. Sometimes you can't get the stupid out of people. Enough said. Tina Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17644273440522679531noreply@blogger.com