Sadly, Robert Boardman was gored to death by a mountain goat while hiking in Olympic National Park. Even more sadly, Boardman’s wife, son and estate are suing the National Park over the incident. (Monday, “Claims filed in death of hiker gored by goat.”) Really. Just when I thought it couldn’t get more ridiculous, this family and their bottom-feeder lawyer are attempting to hold the park service responsible for the actions of a wild animal.
The American national park is not a zoo. It is a wild area deemed to remain wild — that’s the whole idea. People visit the national parks, in part, to see wildlife. Yellowstone, for instance, is known for the abundance and visibility of its wildlife. Grizzly bears, elk, moose, bison, etc. All of which can (and have) injured, and even killed humans that came too close. Is it reasonable to expect complete protection from all things wild when we venture into a national park? What if someone freezes to death? Is a wild animal any more predictable than the weather? What if someone trips over a root on a trail and sustains injury? Is this the Park Service’s responsibility because they maintain the trails? Hopefully, this lawsuit will not set such precedents.
Not only is the legal action a heinous and greedy attempt to exploit a loved one’s death, it is a threat to one of the few natural resources we have left. The National Park system is typically one of the first hit with budget cuts. Now this family attempts to parasitically suck $10 million from the park system for the actions of a wild animal. If successful, they threaten the very essence of our National Park System. Despicable.
Jerry Bush
Mukilteo
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
