Crystal Palace Megalosaurus damaged

[therizinosaurus]

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-52789270

[ceratopsian]

Distressing to read about this this morning. I made a small donation to the Friends.

[Libraraptor]

Upsetting news about terrible deeds by disgusting people.

[Stegotyranno420]

who'd do such a thing

[Shonisaurus]

Honestly, people have a bad idea, a vandalism to a dinosaur monument of historical and monumental value.

[Faelrin]

Oh no that's absolutely terrible! I hope whoever did this is caught and faces some serious repercussions for damaging something this historical.

[BlueKrono]

Absolutely devastating. The Crystal Palace dinos are one of my top international destinations, my #1 site in the British Isles. Can't believe someone would do this.

[Kotori_Sonoda]

This was one of the first things i saw in the morning, very sad news to wake up to!

[stargatedalek]

Seems unlikely it was a person. Existing crack lines and plants were even well established growing inside. Just because it's being investigated only means the possibility hasn't been ruled out.

[Stegotyranno420]

Seems unlikely it was a person. Existing crack lines and plants were even well established growing inside. Just because it's being investigated only means the possibility hasn't been ruled out.

Though highly unlikley it couldve been a animal

[Justin_]

There have been very strong winds in this part of the UK in the last few days.  If you look at the BBC news link below this one there is another from February this year: Crystal Palace dinosaurs added to 'at risk' register. Also, these statues are on an island which the public don't have access to except for rare special occasions.
Add to this the fact that the park would be a busy place even during the lockdown and is closed at night, so I doubt a person would have done this without being seen.

[Justin_]

Though highly unlikley it couldve been a animal

It was possibly so fragile that something like a heron landing on it was enough to finally dislodge it.

[Gwangi]

I'm kind of thinking this was the result of natural deterioration, but it's still sad. Wouldn't be surprised if it was humans either though. While volunteering at my local museum years ago some college students stole a fossilized lungfish burrow and tossed it off a bridge. This fossil survived millions of years just to be casually destroyed by some teenagers. I'm sure they were proud of themselves too.

[DinoToyForum]

It is deeply upsetting. This wouldn't be the first time the Crystal Palace dinosaurs have been subjected to mindless vandalism.

Brierley et al provide a brief summary in this article:
https://cpdinosaurs.org/pdf/brierly-et-al-preprint.pdf

"vandals have repeatedly gained access to the island via weirs or by just crossing through the shallow water. Damage recorded in the past two decades alone included smashing up of two teleosaur models, the total destruction of two replica pterodactyls, beheading of a paleotherium, the theft of part of the Geological Illustrations and the appearance of disfiguring graffiti."

[Crackington]

Really sad news ☹️

Unfortunately there are some real morons out there, though it remains to be seen if it was a person (s).

The site needs better protection as the Friends group keep arguing for and Adam points out, it's not the first time.

[Stegotyranno420]

I'm kind of thinking this was the result of natural deterioration, but it's still sad. Wouldn't be surprised if it was humans either though. While volunteering at my local museum years ago some college students stole a fossilized lungfish burrow and tossed it off a bridge. This fossil survived millions of years just to be casually destroyed by some teenagers. I'm sure they were proud of themselves too.

What the heck! Those idiots ruined a very small chance. I read how rare and difficult it is to get something fossilized naturally. I hope the specimen of the lungfish was studied and documented well, unlike the case of the mega sauropods such as Bruthatkyosaurus and Amphicoelcias, before vanishing

[brontosauruschuck]

I'm really curious as to why people would do this. Really. Is it just that some men want to watch the world burn or is there a good reason to destroy something like this in the mind of the vandal?

[Avian]

I'm really curious as to why people would do this. Really. Is it just that some men want to watch the world burn or is there a good reason to destroy something like this in the mind of the vandal?

Crime rates tend to go up during events like these, when people are bored or have more time on their hands. Maybe the vandals get a kick of excitement out of breaking the law? I'm not saying quarantine or excitement is at all an excuse I'm just trying to figure out why somebody would do something so heinous.

[Libraraptor]

I'm really curious as to why people would do this. Really. Is it just that some men want to watch the world burn or is there a good reason to destroy something like this in the mind of the vandal?

You are asking if there is any reason for this special object being destroyed?  If there's any connection between the vandals and the objects?  If the anger  is directed against something specifical the object might represent?

Creationists are ignorant and empty headed,  but they are not violent.  Can't imagine any other group.  If it was vandalism it was a random act I think.

[Crackington]

Probably true, vandalism is usually bored kids who are not thinking at all about what they are doing. Could just have easily been someone's greenhouse or an allotment patch which happens every day somewhere, sadly.

Not sure if their site is obvious, but the Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs group are doing their best to help conserve the beasts and educate the public about them. This is probably their best protection long term. Here's the page where you can donate if you want to help them:

https://cpdinosaurs.org/donate/