And other travel news you may have missed.
This week in travel, we’ve uncovered several stories that might have flown under your radar. Among them: a mountain lion bites a child at a national park; federal agents arrest a pilot in San Francisco; and Amsterdam is adding tiny staircases along the canals to help out the city’s cats.
Dive into these and more as we examine the latest in travel news.
NO.1
LION BITES CHILD AT OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK
A four-year-old child was bitten by a mountain lion while walking on a trail with family in Washington’s Olympic National Park. The incident happened on July 20 near the Victoria Overlook area, according to a statement from the National Park Service. Rangers were notified, and staff took the injured child to a hospital in Seattle.
The statement also said that an investigation is underway and no information about the child will be released to protect their privacy. However, officials emphasized there is no threat to the public.
Related: ‘Micromanagement at Its Worst’: New Order Sparks Uproar Over National Parks Oversight
NO.2
BERMUDA OFFICIALS ARRESTS U.S. PASSENGERS CARRYING DRUGS ON CRUISE
Bermuda Police Service arrested four passengers traveling with Carnival Cruise Lines for possession of drugs. Authorities said on Facebook that the passengers were allegedly carrying cannabis, the opioid carfentanil, vape pens, and suspected edible gummies. They believe the suspects intended to distribute the drugs on the island. The suspects are in police custody, and the narcotics department is investigating the case.
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Acting Detective Superintendent Derricka Burns said, “Carfentanyl is about 100 times stronger than fentanyl and was originally used to sedate large animals like elephants. Even tiny amounts can be deadly. This seizure may have prevented a potential tragedy.”
Responding to the incident, Carnival said the company has a zero-tolerance drug policy. “We also advise our guests that they can be personally subject to local law enforcement actions.”
Related: What Should You Do if You Are Arrested Abroad?
NO.3
AMSTERDAM INSTALLS TINY STAIRCASES ALONG CANALS FOR CATS
In Amsterdam, cats sometimes die by drowning in the city’s canals. To help felines rescue themselves, the pro-animal party PvdD proposed installing small ladders by the canals. A similar setup exists in the city of Amersfoort, about an hour away in the province of Utrecht.
Animal welfare councilwoman Zita Pels welcomed the proposal, and an investigation found the animal agenda had unused budgets of €100,000 for the steps. The city council voted to use those funds to install these wildlife exit sites, which may also be used by other small animals to exit the canals. The city has also tasked animal welfare organization Dierenambulance to identify where these steps are needed.
NO.4
FEDERAL AGENTS ARREST CO-PILOT IN COCKPIT
Soon after a Delta Air Lines flight from Minneapolis landed in San Francisco, federal agents entered the cockpit and arrested a co-pilot. Stunned passengers and crew did not know what caused the detention.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the incident happened on Saturday after a delayed touchdown due to heavy fog around 9:35 p.m. A group of officers with badges, guns, and air marshals hurried to the cockpit, handcuffed the co-pilot, and removed him from the plane. Another team came to collect his personal belongings. It is not known why the pilot was arrested, but Homeland Security confirmed that they assisted the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department with an arrest.
NO.5
DUTCH TOURISTS TRIGGER RESCUE OPERATIONS AFTER JUMPING OFF A BOAT IN COMO
Two Dutch tourists on a boat on Lake Como jumped into the water and swam toward the town of Laglio on Saturday. However, the 23- and 26-year-old triggered a rescue mission when other passengers on the boat became worried about their safety. Emergency rescue services were called, leading to a search mission that lasted hours as they tried to find the two swimmers. They were later seen in Laglio, and authorities visited them at a campsite 30 minutes from town. They were charged with causing an unnecessary search-and-rescue operation.