WA: Vandals damage ancient cave

AAP General News (Australia)
02-19-2006
WA: Vandals damage ancient cave

PERTH, Feb 19 AAP - Vandals have destroyed world-famous cave formations, that were
thousands of years old, in a national park near Perth.

Vandals entered the cave system at Yanchep National Park from a locked roof opening,
and destroyed at least 12 ancient stalactites and stalagmites.

Ray De Jong, the manager of the national park, which is 50 km north of Perth, has described
the attack as senseless.

The vandals deliberately smashed one of the cave's best-known features, a large stalactite
known as Elephants Foot, during the attack, which happened sometime between 4.30pm (AEDT)
on Friday and 9am (AEDT) Saturday in Crystal Cave.

Mr De Jong said the attack appeared to have been premeditated and to have targeted
some of the oldest and most famous limestone formations in the cave.

"This wasn't just a random knock-em-off-as-you-go-along thing," Mr De Jong said.

He said the vandals had spent a long time removing bolts covering the roof opening
and had dropped four metres to the floor of the cave from the roof.

They had left the same way and police believe they may have used ropes.

"These are some of the most significant caves in the world. Historically they were
the first caves to be discovered in WA," he said.

Crystal Cave attracts up to 100,000 visitors a year and is the most accessible cave
of its type in Western Australia.

Staff at Yanchep National Park were upset at the news of the destruction but opened
the cave to tourists today.

Police are investigating the incident and have already received several leads from the public.

AAP jh/arb/sd

KEYWORD: CAVES

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