National parks in the US are dealing with vandalism, pollution and administration backlogs caused by the federal government shutdown.
A short-term agreement has reopened the federal government until 15 February, but the 35-day lapse in funding has taken a toll on parks around the country.
鈥淣ow is when the real work begins. The damage done to our parks will be felt for weeks, months or even years,鈥� said Theresa Pierno, President and CEO for the National Parks Conservation Association, in a statement.
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Many parks remained open, but without visitor services, toilets and rubbish collection. In some places, volunteer groups stepped in to carry out essential maintenance.
A week into the shutdown, parts of Yosemite National Park, California, had to be closed because of 鈥渋mpacts from human waste鈥�, a park statement said.
Conservationists warned that overflowing bins would attract wildlife such as bears, potentially habituating them to human food.
With only a handful of rangers still working, parks struggled to maintain order. In Joshua Tree National Park, California, vandals cut down Joshua trees to create new roads, and cut chains and locks to gain access to campsites.
鈥淲hat鈥檚 happened to our park in the last 34 days is irreparable for the next 200 to 300 years,鈥� said Curt Sauer, a former Joshua Tree National Park Superintendent, at a rally on Saturday, according to Desert Sun.
