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While some may be tempted to offer the Sonoran Desert Toad a kiss, the National Park Service urged visitors to leave the potentially deadly amphibians alone. In a Facebook post last week, the government agency warned visitors against licking the toads if they stumble across them. It's unclear whether there was a specific instance to prompt the advisory, but "here we are," the National Park Service wrote. People have exploited the toad's toxin as psychedelic, smoking it to experience euphoria and hallucinations, according to the Oakland Zoo. The Sonoran Desert toad, also referred to as a the Colorado River toad, is one of the largest toads native to North America and measures about 7 inches in length, the National Park Service said.

☆ The National Park Service warns visitors not to lick Sonoran Desert toads, whose psychoactive poison has been smoked by celebrities like Joe Rogan and Chelsea Handler
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The National Park Service told visitors not to lick toads or anything else they find in the parks. The Sonoran Desert toad, also known as the Colorado River toad, can grow to nearly 7 inches and is one of the largest toads in North America. The practice is dangerous and can make humans and animals sick, as the Sonoran Desert toads release toxins through glands in their skin as a powerful defense mechanism. The relevant psychoactive substance, 5-MeO-DMT, is illegal in the US and designated a Schedule 1 substance, but that hasn't stopped it from accruing fans. Some are concerned that the growing embrace of psychedelics and 5-MeO-DMT could threaten the existence of the Sonoran Desert toad due to illegal poaching and overharvesting, the Times reported.

☆ For the sixth time this year, human remains were found at Lake Mead
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( Tim Stelloh | Tim Stelloh Is A Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

More human remains were found at Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Nevada, marking the sixth discovery this year at the country's largest reservoir, a spokesperson for the federal park said Thursday. A National Park Service dive team carried out a full search the next day and confirmed a finding of skeletal remains, the spokesperson said. Human remains found at Lake Mead in 2022 A park service dive team confirmed the latest set of remains on Oct. 18 in Callville Bay. The National Park Service has not responded to requests for comment on what might be behind the grim discoveries. According to the park service, as of Thursday only one of its boat ramps remained open.

☆ ‘Fat Bear Week’ Has a New Champion After Voting Scandal
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Allison Prang | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Fat Bear Week has a new furry champ who is believed to be one of the biggest brown bears on the planet, but not after a voting scandal ensnarled the results. The latest winner of the competition, in which people vote for their favorite fat bear located in the Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska, is a bear known as Bear Force One, or bear number 747. The winner of the competition, put on by Explore.org and the National Park Service, was announced Tuesday night.

☆ Man in custody after Washington Monument vandalized with red paint
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( Chantal Da Silva | Chantal Da Silva Is A Breaking News Editor For Nbc News Digital Based In London. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

A man was taken into custody after the Washington Monument was vandalized with red paint late Tuesday, police said. The area around base of the Washington Monument was temporarily closed following the incident, as National Park Service conservators looked to restore the statue. The U.S. Park Police guard the Washington Monument after a vandal wrote graffiti and threw red paint against the base of the structure on Sept. 21, 2022. Nathan Howard / Getty ImagesThe base of the monument could be seen smeared with a splash of red paint, accompanied by the words: "Have you been f----- by this ... Gov says tough s---." It also saw restoration works from 2016-2019 to modernize its elevator.

☆ Washington Monument vandalized, one man taken into custody
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( Kanishka Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterCars pass by the Washington Monument at night in Washington, U.S., October 24, 2021. REUTERS/Sarah Silbiger/File PhotoWASHINGTON, Sept 20 (Reuters) - A man has been taken into custody after the Washington Monument was vandalized late on Tuesday, police said, adding that the area around the base of the monument has been temporarily closed. "Area around base of the Washington Monument temporarily closed. NPS (National Park Service) conservators will work on restoration process," the United States Park Police (USPP) said on Twitter. Images posted on Twitter by local media showed red paint smeared on the west side of the monument's base.

☆ In 5 National Parks, Hidden Gems and Roads Less Traveled
▼ + stars: | 2022-07-20 | by ( Colleen Creamer | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Those of us who’ve had to squeeze our way through crowds at national parks recently can attest how hugely — and annoyingly — popular the parks have become. The pandemic turned a Klieg light on nature’s allure, so much so that 44 parks set visitation records in 2021, according to the National Park Service. And, given the upward trajectory of 2021’s visitation numbers, it’s safe to say greater numbers are likely to be seen in many parks this year. But even the most popular parks have hidden gems and entrances that aren’t clogged with traffic. Packing a little patience, along with water, snacks and sunscreen, will go a long way.

Persons: who’ve Organizations: National Park Service Locations: Acadia, California’s Yosemite

Major became the first shelter dog to live in the White House, but he was rehomed with a family friend after he had trouble adjusting. Joe Biden with Major. Delaware Humane Association/FacebookMajor had some trouble adjusting to life in the White House, biting a Secret Service member and a National Park Service employee in two separate incidents. The first family has since decided to rehome him. "This is not in reaction to any new or specific incident, but rather a decision reached after several months of deliberation as a family and discussions with experts."

☆ More than 300 people live year-round in Death Valley, one of the hottest places on Earth. Here's what it's like.
▼ + stars: | 2020-08-19 | by ( Susie Neilson | Azmi Haroun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

It takes time to get used to the heatTaylor's first summer in Death Valley was "pretty hard," he said. The Death Valley community stays closeCow Creek, Timbisha Shoshone Village, and Stovepipe Wells, Death Valley's three main year-round communities, are remote: The nearest town is an hour's drive. Yes, Death Valley residents go running. Climate change is making life in Death Valley even tougherThe coronavirus pandemic has made it harder for the small group of Death Valley residents to gather, but they're staying in touch via technology like everyone else. In Death Valley, six of the 10 hottest months on record have occurred in the last 20 years.

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