Two men are being sought by federal authorities after an alarming video showed the wanton destruction of ancient, protected rock formations near Las Vegas. 

In the video, two men push dangerously large chunks of sandstone off a red rock face as a young girl screams nearby. At one point in the video, one of the boulders nearly takes one of the men down with it. 

The incident occurred on April 7 on the Redstone Dune Trail, one of the most popular hikes in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, about 40 miles east of Las Vegas. The petrified rocks and caves there date back million of years and are federally protected.  

“It takes millions of years for these rock formations to form,” National Park Service spokesperson John Haynes told Las Vegas station KVVU-TV. “And then you get a few idiots out there destroying the work of nature. It’s pretty appalling.”

The National Park Service is asking the public if they can help identify the men. Destruction of federally protected sites can result in felony charges that come along with potential fines and even jail time. 

“Information from visitors is often very helpful to investigators,” the park service said in a statement. “If you were on the Redstone Dunes Trail on the evening of Sunday, April 7, 2024, or if you have information that could help identify the suspects, please submit a tip. You don’t have to tell us who you are, but please tell us what you know.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call the park service tip line at 888-653-0009 or email [email protected].