Shocking moment vandals destroy protected and delicate natural rock formations in Nevada national park

Visitors to a popular rock site in Lake Mead National Park are being tracked by federal authorities after severely damaging a formation at the Nevada hiking area.

Officials say the damage occurred last weekend on the north side of the lake, where fossilized red dunes make it one of the most visited parts of the park.

A video taken by a witness to the event shows two men working hard to push large pieces of loose rock off the edge of a cliff.

The video was sent to the National Park Service.

A little girl, the daughter of one of the men, stands behind them, shocked and intermittently screaming as the rocks fall.

“Daddy, don’t fall,” she shouts as the two men try to push the bolder parts over the edge and watch them break as they crash into the edge of the cliff.

Officials call the behavior extremely damaging and note that the old stones cannot be repaired.

John Haynes, a public information officer for the park, said KVVU: ‘It’s one of my favorite places in the park and they’re destroying it there. I do not understand that.’

‘Why would you even do something like that? Why on earth would you do this? “This almost feels like a personal attack in a way,” he added.

Destruction of this degree and quality in federally protected sites could result in misdemeanor charges that could carry fines and jail time.

The Lake Mead National Recreation Area, just outside Las Vegas, attracts approximately 6 million visitors annually.

Park staff cannot be physically present in the entire 2,344 square kilometer area, meaning they sometimes rely on the public to keep watch over some locations in the park.

‘It concerns 1.5 million hectares. We have two large lakes, part of the Colorado River. Given our staffing levels, it becomes quite difficult to be everywhere at once,” Haynes said.

The National Park Service has a tip line that receives thousands of submissions each year.

Park staff cannot be physically present in the entire 2,344 square kilometer area, meaning they sometimes rely on the public to keep watch over some locations in the park

The men face fines and jail time for their destructive behavior

The Lake Mead National Recreation Area, just outside Las Vegas, attracts approximately 6 million visitors annually

Visitors are encouraged to use their cell phones, if safe to do so, to record what they see and collect information – such as license plate numbers – that can help officers identify offenders.

‘You don’t have to involve people. Many people don’t feel safe involving others, and that’s okay. It’s very important to let us know,” Haynes said.

Years ago, two Boy Scout leaders who toppled ancient rocks in Utah were charged with crimes and forced to pay restitution after their harmful pranks were caught on camera.