Reckless joyriders slammed for destroying rare plants in Death Valley dunes

Destructive joyriders have been slammed for ruining rare plants in California's Death Valley dunes after they 'illegally drove' through them. 

The National Park Service (NPS) is currently trying to hunt down who's responsible for the wreckage, with the agency stating that the vicious act on the Eureka Dunes happened in either late December or early January. 

The vehicle driven on the precious site 'caused significant damage' to plants listed under the Endangered Species Act, as tire tracks were left behind all across the sandy dunes. 

One plant species that was directly damaged from just 'a few minutes of joyriding,' was Eureka dunegrass, also known as Swellenia alexandrea. 

The specific plant only grows in Eureka Valley and is classified as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service said. 

In addition to the Eureka dunegrass being threatened by the senseless act, the agency said eight other plants experienced root damage 'due to their proximity to the tracks.' 

Although those specific plants weren't identified, NPS said 'over two miles of vehicle tracks were left on the dunes, suggesting that further damage to seeds and other plants is likely.' 

A total of five other rare plants were damaged as a result, including Eureka Dunes evening-primrose,  Shining milkvetch, Gravel milk vetch, Hillman’s silverscale and Wheeler’s chaetadelpha. 

According to the department, Eureka Dunes evening-primrose only lives in the dunes in Eureka Valley. 

The plant was removed from the endangered species list in 2018 because of a 'reduced threat of damage from off road driving.' 

Shining milkvetch only exists on dunes  in Panamint and Eureka Valleys, the agency added. 

NPS Superintendent Mike Reynolds shared his dismay about the recent news, adding that there are many nearby areas for people to enjoy off-roading.  

'I urge the public to come forward with any information that could help identify those responsible for driving on Eureka Dunes,' Reynolds said. 

'I’m saddened that someone would disregard the survival of a rare species for a few minutes of joyriding.

'There are multiple areas on BLM land nearby, such as Dumont Dunes, which are set aside for this type of recreation but the sensitive dune systems in the National Park are set aside to be protected.' 

The agency is currently investigating the act and have asked the public to contact them with any relevant information on the incident. 

The Eureka Dunes are the tallest dunes in all of California, standing at 680 feet tall. 

The dune field itself is measured at approximately three miles long by one mile wide, and is considered a National Natural Landmark. 

Death Valley has long been known as an extremely hot location with the lowest elevation in all of the U.S. at some 282 feet below sea level. 

In July, a Belgian tourist suffered horrific burns to his feet after he walked barefoot through Death Valley National Park in 120-degree Fahrenheit heat.

The unidentified 42-year-old man ventured onto Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes but was soon unable to walk and had to be carried to the trailhead by other park visitors, the National Park Service said. 

He was then assessed by park rangers, who determined he had third-degree burns on his feet and needed urgent medical attention. 

'The skin was melted off his foot,' Death Valley National Park Service Ranger Gia Ponce told the Los Angeles Times.

She noted that even though it was 123 degrees outside, 'the ground can be much hotter - 170, 180, sometimes up into the 200 range.'

'People think it's going to be like the beach, where you can get out there with flip flops or sandals, but because of the extreme temperatures, those dunes can heat up just as much as the pavement does,' Ponce explained.

It is now believed that the man had been wearing flip flops initially, but because of a language-barrier, rangers could not confirm whether he lost them or if they became buried in the sand.