Free Republic

Big Bend National Park - What started as a family vacation quickly took a turn for the worst after a six-year-old boy is attacked by a mountain lion in Big Bend National Park. "We weren’t on a trail or down in the woods we were on a sidewalk between the restaurant and hotel," explains Rivers Hobbs’ father, Jason. The Hobbs family drove in from Austin, hoping to enjoy the outdoors in Big Bend National Park. But their vacation was cut short. "It snuck up on me," claims 6-year-old Rivers. “It” was a mountain lion, sneaking up on Rivers just feet...

Mexican bears begin to reappear in Big Bend By TERRI LANGFORD Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle The bears are back at Big Bend National Park. After years of decline because of drought, a recent increase in Mexican bear sightings has forced park officials to temporarily close a popular hiking trail. The Oak Spring Trail and access to the Lower Cattail Canyon at the base of the Chisos Mountains were closed Oct. 5 after two mama bears, their four cubs and a male bear were seen in the leafy canyon, feeding on acorns. The area, which leads to a small waterfall, will...

Memo lists possible border terror plot Officials play down plan described in secret FBI bulletin 11:03 PM CDT on Saturday, July 16, 2005 By ALFREDO CORCHADO and JASON TRAHAN / The Dallas Morning News Dirt roads trace pale lines across a desolate landscape of bald peaks and plunging canyons near Texas' Big Bend and bridge the border at dozens of improvised crossings. For decades, these routes have been used to smuggle drugs and humans. Now there is growing concern they could become deadly conduits for terrorism. The concern is buttressed by a confidential but unclassified FBI intelligence bulletin, obtained by...