Some Yosemite National Park visitors were seen BASE jumping, an activity decried by park officials as "illegal," while staffing at the park has been limited during the ongoing government shutdown, according to video shared on social media.
While Yosemite and all other national parks around the nation are still open for public use during the shutdown, some services are unavailable and staffing has been limited, according to the National Park Service.
The exact number of employees working at each park during the shutdown depends on a variety of factors, per NPS' shutdown contingency plan. However, according to the Yosemite Conservancy, there are only "a few essential staff on duty" at Yosemite during the shutdown.
Amid the apparent staffing shortages, some parkgoers have been BASE jumping at Yosemite during the shutdown, though the recreational sport is generally prohibited at national parks.
The National Park Service confirmed in a statement to USA TODAY that Yosemite remains "appropriately staffed" during the lapse in appropriations
