Wildlife breeder known as “Joe Exotic” sentenced to 22 years in prison
An Oklahoma wildlife breeder and dealer was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for plotting to have a Florida animal sanctuary founder and animal rights activist murdered and for over a dozen wildlife violations, including killing five tigers.
Joseph Maldonado-Passage, also known as “Joe Exotic” tried to hire an undercover FBI agent to murder Carole Baskin, the Florida sanctuary owner. He was also convicted of illegally selling or attempting to sell tigers without a federal permit. Additionally, he shot and killed five tigers, telling the courts he “euthanized” them because they were sick. A forensic pathologist who examined the animals after their death said they appeared healthy.
Read the full story here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2020/01/22/joe-exotic-zookeeper-sentencing/
California hiker rescued by helicopter while clinging to a cliffside
A hiker in California survived a nail-biting rescue after slipping off a trail down a steep cliff in Rubio Canyon near Pasadena. The hiker was able to grab onto tree roots and stop her fall. Firefighters and paramedics responded to the stranded woman, and a helicopter was dispatched.
Video shows the woman letting go of the roots and slipping down the mountainside on her stomach before being caught by a paramedic. She was then lifted back onto the trail by the helicopter. The woman did not appear to be hurt and refused medical attention, but she did make sure to hug her rescuers once she was back on safe ground.
Oil and gas leasing proposed on Moab’s Slickrock trail
The Bureau of Land Management is proposing to lease Utah’s Sand Flats, a popular mountain biking spot, for oil and gas drilling, reports the Salt Lake Tribune. Under the plan, the agency would auction two parcels on Sand Flats, one of which is just a mile from Arches National Park, and five others in Grand County, UT.
Under new rules that support energy development on public lands, the BLM now offers virtually any parcel nominated by industry on lands that are deemed open under drilling-friendly resource management plans, the Salt Lake Tribune says. The public comment period for this proposal opens Feb. 20.
Read the full story here: https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2020/01/23/feds-propose-oil-gas/
