Selected from Annex E-8469T.
National Anomalous Preserves Weekly Incident Report
To: Bureau of Ranger Management
From: Head Ranger Jonathan Yick, Coral Castles National Seashore
Date: Week of October 20th – 26th, 1997
INCIDENTS
97-201: Historic Azramond Shoreline Cottage Beachfront
A deceased kraken-class deep sea creature measuring nearly five hundred feet from tip to tentacle washed up overnight on the beach immediately in front of the Historic Azramond Shoreline Cottage. Initial assessment by park rangers determined that the wounds found upon the kraken’s outer carapace were consistent with those sustained by krakens that partake in ritual dueling as a part of mating rites. However, said wounds were much larger than the standard scarring profiles that have been observed and fit no known kraken profile. Information and photographs were sent to the science team at Krakenholm Aquatic Habitat Preserve. KAHP responded quickly and is sending a team of field biologists to assess the situation.
97-202: Salt Creek River Mouth Beach
A guest (G.P.) from Norman, Oklahoma, disregarded the posted “No Swimming” signs at Salt Creek River Mouth Beach and was subsequently sucked out to sea by the recurring rip current that forms at low tide. No lifeguards are stationed at this beach, and despite the best efforts of the park’s Search and Rescue team, G.P. could not be brought to shore before they succumbed to the sea. CPR was attempted by search and rescue team members, but ultimately G.P. was pronounced dead at the scene. Considering this is the third drowning to take place at Salt Creek River Mouth Beach this year, the Park’s Risk Assessment team has recommended increasing signage and noting casualties on said signage to more strongly discourage swimming.
97-203: Azramond Coral Research Center
The body of R.E., an attempted polyp poacher who was afflicted with Organic Calcification Disorder last year, achieved 100% calcification and has begun sprouting new polyps. As such, the calcified body formerly belonging to R.E. was moved out of the Metamorphosis Supervision Zone and into the Juvenile Coral Nursery along with all other juvenile specimens. Should the new Coral survive to maturity, it will be relocated to Coral Habitat Rehabilitation Zone 12-E in accordance with Park policies.
97-204: Main Visitor’s Center
A guest (A.M.) from Warwick, Rhode Island, became inebriated in the parking lot after consuming “half a bottle of dark brown liquor” that he found behind a trashcan in the Main Visitor’s Center. A.M. became belligerent after finishing the bottle, demanding to be served more liquor (despite there being no bar on Park premises) and proceeded to start knocking over trash cans in search of more leftover alcohol. Park Police were called, and A.M. was taken into custody after a brief standoff. A.M. was released following an 8-hour sober-stay in the park’s lone holding cell after being cited for public intoxication and littering. A.M was connected with a licensed Addiction Disorder Therapist in his hometown of Warwick by one of the arresting officers who also happened to be from Warwick.
97-205: Northern Park Boundary Beach
An empty fishing boat washed ashore on the Northern Park Boundary Beach at approximately 7 AM on the 24th. The boat was in good condition with active and functional instruments, and freshly made coffee was found spilled from a broken mug immediately behind the steering wheel. Responding rangers noted an overpowering aroma of cinnamon and cloves with no clear source while on board the vessel, and each reported hearing the other say strange phrases that the other swears not to have said. Given the presence of an unexplained absence in evidence of habitation AND two types of source-less sensory phenomena; important criteria for determining the occurrence of an Anomalous Incident; the rangers vacated the scene and reported the boat to the park’s designed Federal Anomalous Incident Agent.
97-206: Alastair’s Garden Coral Habitat
A guest (L.H.) from Fresno, California, disregarded park signage and touched one of the coral growths in Alastair’s Garden, resulting in a small scrape on the tip of his left middle finger. Organic calcification disorder set in almost immediately, and by the time L.H. made it to the Park Medical Center, the middle finger, ring finger, and little finger on his left hand had all begun showing signs of calcification. L.H. consented to an emergency amputation on the recommendation of Park Medical staff, and his left hand was amputated at the wrist. The calcification did not progress further, and L.H. was able to keep the rest of his left arm. L.H. opted to donate his fully calcified left hand to a park exhibit meant to further discourage touching of the coral, on the condition that he receive a cast of the final calcified form of his ex-appendage.
97-207: Neon Spires Coral Habitat
A poacher (O.E.) from Baltimore, Maryland was caught with a backpack full of a dozen juvenile polyps after he was reported by a group of guests that saw “a suspicious man with gloves and a mask getting too close to the coral” in the Neon Spires Coral habitat. O.E. attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended by park law enforcement and handed over to North Carolina fish and wildlife agents who charged him with a dozen counts of polyp poaching, each of which carries a minimum sentence of 6 months in state prison.
END REPORT
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