The mindless vandalism that has helped de-value the beauty of so many of our magnificent beauty spots is far from an ‘Australia-only’ problem.
Indeed, in the US, photographic evidence has emerged that shows a group of young men destroying an iconic sandstone rock at an Oregon national park.
The ‘duckbill’ formation at Cape Kiwanda was a favourite with photographers until the vandals somehow managed to push it over and caused it to shatter.
Another park user, David Kalas, actually videoed the vandals in the act and told local media the men said they had done the park “a favour” because the rock was unsafe until they destroyed it.
There have reportedly been seven deaths at the area so far in 2016, despite multiple warning signs and closed-off areas, with many people hopping the fence to take photos.
“It’s one of those places that draws people in and, even when they’re confronted by signs and fences, they stop thinking about safety,” Chris Havel, an Oregon Parks and Rec spokesman, told the Statesman-Journal in June.
There has been plenty of graffiti daubed on beauty spots here in Australia in recent times, and there is speculation that the ability to show off one’s ‘work’ via platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram could be adding fuel to the fire. Social media is also being blamed for people ignoring warnings and taking unnecessary risks at such places as Wedding Cake Rock in New South Wales.
But, in this case, the video could prove quite a deterrent. Oregon State Police is now on the case, and is hunting down the people caught in the act in the video, and they may face a hefty fine or worse.
Earlier this year, a 23-year-old woman was banned for life for all US parks when she was exposed as ‘creepytings,’ the mysterious graffiti artist who had damaged ancient rock formations in places like Death Valley and Crater Lake.
If they can get there heads on Facebook they will do any stunt that’s different. Social Media is to blame