Authorities in northeastern Utah are seeking help to identify individuals involved in installing climbing bolts at an ancient petroglyph site called the Pregnant Sheep Petroglyph Panel. Climbing bolts were discovered at the site in November, prompting the Uintah County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to ask for assistance from the public in tracking down those responsible for the vandalism.
The act of installing bolts at the petroglyph site is considered disrespectful to the state’s indigenous people, as the engravings hold sacred significance to many tribes. Cultural resource manager Autumn Gillard of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah described the petroglyphs as “our churches” and compared vandalism at these sites to defacing religious spaces.
The search for the individuals who installed the climbing bolts comes amid a legislative victory for the climbing community, with the passage of a bill allowing the placement of fixed anchors in wilderness areas. This legislation clarifies that climbing activities and the use of fixed anchors, including bolts, are appropriate in certain outdoor recreation areas.
In a separate incident in Kane County, two individuals were located and questioned for defacing a petroglyph near Wire Pass. One woman was arrested and could face felony charges for allegedly writing on the petroglyph. The investigation into this incident is ongoing.
Authorities in Uintah County are urging anyone with information about the installation of climbing bolts at the petroglyph site to come forward, with leads being forwarded to federal agents for further investigation.
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