The Lake Shrine swan Sita again has a new companion after her brother, Sraddha, was killed in a grisly encounter with an alligator snapping turtle lurking under the surface. The new arrival, also a female, is named Shanti, a Sanskrit word used to describe inner tranquility and bliss. The killer, an 108-pound turtle known as the Monster of Sunset Boulevard who had been in the lake for 50 years, has a new home in an Arizona nature reserve. Brother Ritananda, who oversees Lake Shrine’s wildlife, said that when the swans met Sita raised her wings in “warrior mode” but then they touched heads and are now inseparable. Photo by Erika Martin
By DAYNA DRUM | Reporter
After the rescue of two hikers in Topanga State Park over the weekend, hikers are once again being urged to explore the outdoors with caution.
On Saturday afternoon a Los Angeles Fire Department helicopter lifted a man and a woman out of the area of 20828 West Entrada Drive. The pair was in fair condition, but the woman suffered from a heat-related illness.
Another rescue was conducted the same day in the San Gabriel Mountains, where officials said they found many on the trails without water.
In 2014, a total of 14 helicopter rescues were conducted in the local wilderness areas, including Will Rogers, Topanga and Temescal Gateway state parks.
These helicopter rescues have a high price, around $1,600 per hour.
Firefighter Alan Black from Station 69 said sometimes these situations are unavoidable, blaming the thick terrain.
However, Black advises hikers to pay attention to their surroundings. Hiking websites advise being prepared on a hike with the basic essentials, most importantly with a few liters of water or a liter per hour of the hike.
The Lake Shrine swan Sita again has a new companion after her brother, Sraddha, was killed in a grisly encounter with an alligator snapping turtle lurking under the surface. The new arrival, also a female, is named Shanti, a Sanskrit word used to describe inner tranquility and bliss. The killer, an 108-pound turtle known as the Monster of Sunset Boulevard who had been in the lake for 50 years, has a new home in an Arizona nature reserve. Brother Ritananda, who oversees Lake Shrine’s wildlife, said that when the swans met Sita raised her wings in “warrior mode” but then they touched heads and are now inseparable. Photo by Erika Martin
As the Sand Fire in the Santa Clarita Valley grows, emergency resources are being called in from around the area, potentially cutting responders to hiking incidents.
However, as it stands right now, Palisades firefighters are not aiding the battle and will be staying local.
With the fires north of Los Angeles set to burn through the weekend, and temperatures showing no sign of decline, people are urged to avoid becoming another casualty of the Great Outdoors.
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