5 year old boy attacked by wild animal

[mandy]

In the past there have been bear, bobcat and coyote sightings in the outskirts of Albuquerque. The animals are becoming less and less afraid of humans, I can't help but feel it is our fault because we have taken their land to build new homes. Well anyway a family was enjoying a hike in the Sandia mts. and their little boy got ahead of them and got attacked by an animal. Heres the story http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24712589/

They still have not found the animal that did this. I just wanted to post this to remind us all to keep a good eye on kids when we take them out camping.

Mandy

[madjack]

...yep, we keep encroaching on their territory and then wonder why they attack...one o'these daze, MaNature is gonna shrug us all off of this mud ball.....
madjack

[Joseph]

CHUPACABRA!!

Joseph

[mandy]

Joseph: I was wondering when someone would mention that. Cause no one seems to know what attacked the kid, not even the father.

Mandy

[emiller]

I think a few weeks ago a girl was attacked at a baseball game by a hawk.
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/04/ ... at-fenway/

[Miriam C.]

It isn't that I don't know 5 year olds run off, it is that the parents let him get out of site. That is a problem. Nothing like people who trust nature to be civilized and nurturing of their child.

[Sonetpro]

I heard on the news it was a mountain lion. Ya gotta remember you are in their home they are not in yours.
I loved going to the top of Sandia peak. The most awesome tram ride ever. 90 when you got on at the desert floor and 40 when you got off on top.

[Joseph]

Joseph: I was wondering when someone would mention that. Cause no one seems to know what attacked the kid, not even the father.

That's what made me think of it.

Joseph

[MSG Hall]

yep... I carry a gun.

[Airspeed]

I think a few weeks ago a girl was attacked at a baseball game by a hawk.
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/04/ ... at-fenway/

I used to have a pet Red tailed hawk, it attacked my aunts wig and flew off with it, it was hilarious until my mean ol aunt attacked my bird with a broom and killed it. (she was mean!)

[swissarmygirl]

I think a few weeks ago a girl was attacked at a baseball game by a hawk.
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/04/ ... at-fenway/

I used to have a pet Red tailed hawk, it attacked my aunts wig and flew off with it, it was hilarious until my mean ol aunt attacked my bird with a broom and killed it. (she was mean!)

[bgordon]

Mmmm, when I travelled through North America I was amazed that people could walk around in their state parks, and even go hiking!

Here in South Africa you are not allowed to get out of your car once you enter a National park, and may only walk around in the (fenced) camping spots.

If my memory serves me right we were amazed at the stupidity of one Japanese tourist who, a few years ago, got out of his car in one of our national parks, and strolled over to the pack of lions to give the one a gentle pat. Well, he didn't survive to tell the story.

Only after I visited North America did I understand why tourists sometimes dared to get out of their cars when visiting our National parks. To you guys it is normal to wander around in state parks, but to us it would be unthinkable. Something like walking in the jungle in Jurassic park.

As a side - only the parks are dangerous in South Africa. The normal suburbs are just like suburban America.

[bgordon]

As a P.S. to my previous post - this article caught the local news a few weeks ago.

Two European tourists visited one of the smaller game parks in South Africa. A curious elephant strolled up to the car, and 'hugged' them a bit. These guys are lucky that the elephant was in a good mood, or they would have been in serious trouble.

The link with 5 pictures is at:
http://www.news24.com/Beeld/Gallery/0,8668,6132,00.html









And the story, (Sorry in Afrikaans only), is here:

http://www.news24.com/Beeld/Suid-Afrika ... 36,00.html

I'll translate the first two paragraphs for those who are interested:

Heading: Yes, it really happened!

Article:

The elephant and the car is strange, but true.

Two tourists from Switzerland, who visited South Africa in March, can attest to this fact.

Mr Rico Beltrame (27) and his sister, Angela (29), had the experience of their life in the Hluhluwe game reserve at 09:00 on 21 March when an elephant placed his foot on their rented car.

---

The article goes on to say that the car had to be repaired at a cost of R7000, which is slightly less than $1000.

[Airspeed]

"The article goes on to say that the car had to be repaired at a cost of R7000, which is slightly less than $1000."


Body work is cheap over there! That much damage would have cost me $3000 easy!
That looks like a massive elephant, they dont make them look that big on the Discovery channel.
Aaron

[Arne]

All of these things have gone on forever. Our extensive media coverage (remember when 'news' on TV was 1/2 hour long?) pummels us with this stuff...

In 1776, the King of England didn't know he was at war with us for 6 weeks.. now we get instant coverage of a war half way around the world.

But, your point about watching kids is a good one. I wish more parents spent more time parenting instead of shuffling kids off to be baby sat by a TV set.