New Endangered Species: "A Big Canal Rodent" Mystery Cache
lahontan: I spent a lot of time creating this cache and I really like it but becoming a father of 4 has changed everything for me. I am finally doing the right thing and archiving this one.
New Endangered Species: "A Big Canal Rodent"
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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T
axonomy is the scientific method of classifying the animals with
specific names. Carl Linnaeus, also known as Carl von Linné or
Carolus Linnaeus, is often called the Father of Taxonomy. His
system for naming, ranking, and classifying organisms is still in
wide use today (with many changes). His ideas on classification
have influenced generations of biologists during and after his own
lifetime, even those opposed to the philosophical and theological
roots of his work. The Linnaeus System works by placing each
organism into a layered hierarchy of groups. Each group at a given
layer is composed of a set of groups from the layer directly below.
Simply knowing the two-part scientific name makes it possible to
determine the other six layers. You may recall from biology class
that the taxa are (from general to specific) Kingdom, Phyllum,
Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.
T his is a cache for the burgeoning biologists among us.
What side of the fence do you land on when it comes to the
Endangered Species Act? Should mice hold up the building of an
airport or improved roadways? Does it make sense for the
red-cockaded woodpecker to complicate the U.S. Army's mission to
prepare our forces? We've got our salmon that have to be considered
in nearly every building decision and the northern spotted owl that
has raised havoc with the timber industry. Are these types of
restrictions a good thing? Do all species have some intrinsic value
worth protecting? We could have a fine debate about these things
but onto the cache. As if salmon and the northern spotted owl
weren't enough have you now heard of what officials have described
as "a big canal rodent" in the city of Bellevue near Kelsey Creek
and the Mercer Slough? Based on the proximity to Mercer Slough and
Kelsey Creek and as the unofficial name implies this potentially
critical habitat has some water ways and wetlands scattered about
the protected area, Do not enter them. The land is being
protected and is only accessable during daylight hours. I did some
checking and because of the sensitivity of the habitat lawful
protection prohibits pets, and bushwacking is likewise strictly
prohibited. I have seen the authorities in the area so these
prohibitions are to be taken seriously and adhered to.
None-the-less this seemed like a great place for a cache.
R esearch is hallmark of a good biologist so you may need to
do your share to solve this cache puzzle. Correctly identify "a big
canal rodent" and you will discover the habitat. Decode the
coordinates to the first of three waypoints. The final is a decon
container.
Solve for WP1
| A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
H |
I |
J |
K |
L |
M |
N |
O |
P |
Q |
R |
S |
T |
U |
V |
W |
X |
Y |
Z |
| 0 |
6 |
4 |
8 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
7 |
9 |
3 |
2 |
8 |
9 |
8 |
5 |
4 |
6 |
6 |
8 |
1 |
4 |
5 |
7 |
5 |
9 |
0 |
N 47 3X1.X2 (X3-2)
X1
W 122 Y1Y2.X3 Y1
(Y3-1)
X1 = First letter of First Name
X2 = Second letter of First Name
X3 = Last letter of First Name
Y1 = First letter of Last Name
Y2 = Second letter of Last Name
Y3= Last letter of Last Name
|
First Name______________________.
Second Name__________________________.
|
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
[Puzzle Nudge] - Avpr cebsvyr
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[WP1] - ubyr, rlr-yriry pnzb-ovfba
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[WP2] - zht
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[FNL] - haqre n ovg bs ebggra jbbq puvcf, yrnirf rgp. ol erznvaf bs fghzc.
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Treasures
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