Board suspends Lander ophthalmologist

CHEYENNE - The Wyoming Board of Medicine has suspended a Lander ophthalmologist from the practice of medicine.

The board on Friday voted to suspend Dr. Paul Wade Wyatt of Lander as of Monday. According to the board's order, other doctors who examined Wyatt's patients after he treated them reported problems ranging from persistent blurry vision to blindness.

Carole Shotwell, executive secretary for the board, said Wednesday that Wyatt didn't testify at Friday's special board meeting. Shotwell said the board has scheduled a hearing for Aug. 25 at which Wyatt will be allowed to call witnesses and testify.

Wyatt, 38, said Wednesday that the board's order caught him by surprise.

"They did not call me and ask for any of my records, or ask for any of my side of the story before they took this action," he said.

Wyatt said he has about 3,000 patients and said no one has ever brought a lawsuit against him. He said his attorney will try to get the suspension lifted, or the hearing moved up.

"I've got a wife, and five children, so this has effectively put me out of business," he said.

Moose injures park visitor

GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK - A 16-year-old boy from South Korea was kicked in the head by a cow moose Tuesday after reportedly getting within 10 feet of the animal and her two newborn calves.

According to a National Park Service news release issued after business hours Wednesday, the boy was transported by ambulance to St. John's Medical Center in Jackson. The medical center declined to release information.

The Park Service news release states the agency didn't release the boy's name because he is a minor. Park spokeswoman Joan Anzelmo said Wednesday she had no information on the boy's condition.

The incident occurred Tuesday afternoon near the Colter Bay Visitor Center when, the Park Service said, the boy got close to the animals to take photographs of them. Although the boy tried to run away when the moose came after him, the moose soon caught him and kicked him.

The Park Service said visitors should always stay at least 30 yards from moose, elk and bison and at least 100 yards from bears.

Park: Bear likely hit by vehicle

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK - A grizzly bear found dead along the shore of Yellowstone Lake nearly two weeks ago died of severe blunt trauma and other injuries, likely the result of being hit by a vehicle, park officials said Wednesday.

Results from a recent necropsy show the roughly 200-pound female had severe trauma to the ribs, internal bruising and bleeding that led to asphyxiation, the park said in a news release.

This was the first grizzly death reported in Yellowstone since September 2004, the park said.

Based on the available evidence, a park bear biologist believes the bear died after being hit by a vehicle and making her way to the lake shore for water, the park said. Rangers found no skid marks or other debris in the area near where the bear was discovered.