Internal memo tells national parks not to report deaths

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 25, 2026

Officials at Acadia National Park may stop reporting deaths in the park. A U.S. Department of the Interior internal memo obtained by the Washington Post instructs staff at national parks not to confirm deaths or provide details about severe injuries on park property. Park staff are only allowed to confirm “that an incident occurred.” Communication from Acadia is in decline. The park has responded less frequently to media queries the past two years, and since late last month has not had a designated spokesperson.