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posted by mrpg on Monday February 27 2017, @09:01AM   Printer-friendly
from the drones-are-not-toys dept.

Add this to the long list of problems caused by buzzing drones: Frightening 1,500 elk into stampeding at a time of year when too much stress can be deadly for the animals.

This winter already is one for the books in western Wyoming. More than twice as much snowfall than usual has fallen in many areas, and more than 3 feet has accumulated at the National Elk Refuge in the scenic valley of Jackson Hole.

Typically the National Elk Refuge provides a winter haven for elk. But on Monday, David A. Smart, 45, of Washington, D.C., got a $280 ticket for allegedly launching a drone from a highway pullout and flying it over hundreds of elk resting there.

The device caused the elk to stampede half a mile through the snow. Smart was trying to film the animals and afterward was apologetic, refuge deputy manager Cris Dippel said Friday.

Nonetheless, wildlife managers take animal harassment seriously. The federal crime of which Smart was accused, disturbing wildlife, is punishable by an up to $5,000 fine.

Source: Popular Mechanics


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  • (Score: 1) by Scruffy Beard 2 on Monday February 27 2017, @08:46PM (2 children)

    by Scruffy Beard 2 (6030) on Monday February 27 2017, @08:46PM (#472515)

    Ownership comes with responsibility.

    People tend to forget that in a throw-away society.

    [suppresses rambling tangential rant]

  • (Score: 2) by rts008 on Monday February 27 2017, @09:01PM (1 child)

    by rts008 (3001) on Monday February 27 2017, @09:01PM (#472524)

    Hear! Hear!

    BTW, after my heart attack, my doctor warned me of the dangers of suppressing stuff, and the subsequent life threatening stress build up. :-)

    Now, I let it loose, providing entertainment to those around me! (probably a good thing for me that I rarely spend time around armed persons!)

    • (Score: 1) by Scruffy Beard 2 on Monday February 27 2017, @09:25PM

      by Scruffy Beard 2 (6030) on Monday February 27 2017, @09:25PM (#472536)

      I think my rant was going to be about how I am too much of a pack-rat, and everything has maintenance intervals. As I said: tangent.