Feral people living in national parks
Feral people living in National Parks – For the last several years we have been dedicating more of our time to the National Parks in the United States. During these trips, and extensive research into the different locations we sometimes come upon unusual stories.
I think before we go further I will define what is meant by feral in this context. For me, a feral human or person is someone who by choice or by situation has chosen to live on the land within a protected area known as the Federal Park System or federal lands in general.
I personally think this could include a limited amount of people including those with the survival or woodsmen types to drifters or homeless people who roam from park to park. We see the movies, and stories using clickbait, but is there any known truth to the idea of feral people living in national parks?
So let’s dive deeper into what is really happening in National Parks and on federal land and if feral people living in national parks are a part of these events. For starters what parks are the deadliest, and what is the cause of deaths inside these parks.
Now as far as I can tell the only information involving criminal acts, such as murder, and yes cannibalism seems to stem from Hollywood, not from feral people in national parks. I am more than open and willing to adjust my decision if I find more information. There is however more territory within the United States being designated as 1a or off limits to human activity as per organizations, and the government has signed onto with the United Nations WCMC.
These agreements do leave room for people who want to live outside of the constructs of modern life the ability to just disappear. I know it’s illegal to live permanently inside a National Par or on federal land designated as National Parks, but I can see how it might be possible. I have read stories of people living in Sequoia National Park, and I can assume this happens in other locations.
I do dislike the term “Feral Person” or “Feral Human” because it seems disingenuous to me, and seems to degrade any individual who decides to live outside of what is considered today the norm of civilization. I personally think Hollywood is to blame for this scare for the most part, but there are a few situations that seemed serious.
One was in regards to someone hearing voices and screams that eluded to being taken against their will, and the sounds of screams of distress of women and children. I personally would not discount it since we do know bad evil people do exist, and it’s not unlike these kinds of people to hurt or kill people in cities already.
Do cannibals live in the Appalachian Mountains?
Possibly but from the research I have here it’s very subjective without anything concrete.
Are there cannibals in US National Parks?
There are zero reported cases, and if there are it’s being hidden by the federal government.
Which national park has the most disappearances?
Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Nevada.
The National Park Service may have additional information but in 2017 only 7 murders were reported, but numerous falls, suicides, and car accidents do happen on an annual basis. Now I know people will say the Park Service is not reporting these missing people or deaths, but because most people who go missing have families I personally believe it would be difficult to have total silence. Now that does not mean that there aren’t several open cases because from my research there are. T
he main point I’m trying to make is it is not because of feral people or feral humans wandering the mountainside looking for humans to kill. You are more likely to die from trying to take a selfie in the wrong spot on the edge of a cliff. This article from Outside Magazine lists the most deadly locations and falls were the outcome of most of the cases.
In this report from ELMER B. STAATS we do get a picture that criminal activity by people has been known to exist for some time on federal lands. Could some of this be related to so-called feral people or the idea that they exist? Has Hollywood tapped into these reports to sensationalize the concept, yes it’s possible, and we should take precautions backed up by data?
Even though I lean towards this concept is not that big of a problem, I do see in multiple reports that issues have existed, and the government has taken advantage to expand itself in size and scope to address the criminal activities in this 1977 report to congress.
STATEMENT OF
ELMER B. STAATS, COMPTROLLER GENERLL OF THE UNITED STATES
BEFORE THE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY, AND
NATURAL RESOURCES
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
ON
CRIME IN FEDERAL RECREATION AREAS
Now there are issues that I have personally seen on public lands, and that is heavy alcohol and drug use. People will go to the wild, and get high and not care what happens when they are doing this. I have found that these kinds of people tend to stay close to access of road systems, and prefer places where it is free. BLM land and some of the National Forests come to mind.
I have had to deal with nonstop partying, and people who live from free spot to spot move into different locations. I expect they have a system and rotate to ensure they don’t have issues. I’m sure due to this kind of activity people have been hurt, injured and even killed.
As I was saying above people today have had a tendency to take risks that are not necessary, and I would encourage people to be very careful. Walking around an area first to determine a better location for your photograph or video is always a good idea.
As you can see from this chart people are more likely to want to take a selfie at a tourist location, and the National Parks make up a majority of those locations. So from a safety standpoint, I agree with others on the importance to think about safety for each and every photograph or video you take.
I have often seen people taking unnecessary risks to get a good selfie and most of the time there is a much safer location just up or down the trail. One must take care of themselves, and consider others in regards to safety. Because if I get hurt, fall or worse someone will have to put themselves at risk to retrieve my injured or dead body.
Where would Feral People Be?
Now if someone wanted to be a feral person or a group of feral people where would they be the most successful. Thanks to the United States and the United Nations we can answer that question. I even have a PDF titled “Protected areas data for the United States” from the UNEP-WCMC Technical Briefing Note from December 2016.
When you read this report you will understand that there are places within the United States that have little interaction with the US government and humans in general. Pay close attention to Gap Status Code GAP1 since these areas are the most likely locations. I have been to the Brooks Range in Alaska and parts of this area have little to no known human activity.
However, places that are remote like this also would be difficult to survive in, but not impossible. Now other areas that are further south might be better, and according to this document, they do exist within the United States.
Conclusion of Feral People Living In National Parks balanced 2022
In conclusion from what I can tell there is no validity to these rumors of wild feral people in National Parks or feral people living in national parks, but many accidents do happen, and the Park Service cannot always compete with stupid or thrill-seekers. Yes just being stupid is a thing, and people get hurt every day being this way. All in all, you seem to be safer outside in a controlled park or campgrounds, and with Park Rangers who do have firearms to protect you from wild animals or people who might get out of hand.
The National Parks, monuments, and forests within the United States are safe, and very well maintained for the most part. People must take care of themselves, leave the wildlife alone, and most importantly have fun. I have hyperlinked the locations to additional information and that way you can also do the same research I have done. So don’t let storytellers prevent you from having a safe family vacation, and get out to our fabulous National Parks, Monuments, and Forests today.
Research:
- https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1563/cold-cases.htm
- https://www.wkrn.com/unsolved-tennessee/vanishing-of-boy-remains-largest-scale-hunt-for-missing-persons-in-smokies/
- https://www.thefocus.news/travel/feral-people-national-parks/
- https://twitter.com/mamaxmox/status/1359718123197390850?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Citations:
What You Need to Know About National Park Deaths
Suicides in National Parks — United States, 2003–2009
Which Selfie Spots Are Acceptable?
