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Miley Cyrus is being called out for posing on an endangered Joshua tree
4 April 2019, 15:00
Uh-oh, Miley's in trouble.
There's some simple rules to getting a good photo for the 'gram and an Instagram-worthy setting is just one of them. So when Miley Cyrus decided to take some fashion shots in a pretty tree she probably didn't give it a second thought. Well, now she's getting called out by her fans for posing on a fragile Joshua tree.
The Hannah Montana star uploaded a series of pics of herself mounting, swinging and perching on a large tree in a floral bodysuit. But little did she know, she was actually using the rare and fragile Joshua tree as a prop.
Basically, the Joshua tree – which is confusingly not even a tree – is a succulent (a type of plant that stores water) that can be easily damaged by weight. Their numbers are hugely in decline and that's all thanks to climate change.
Ecological research suggests that their populations will be reduced by 90% of their current range by the end of the 21st century and they could be completely eliminated from Joshua Tree National Park in California.
George Land, a spokesperson for Joshua Tree National Park, told the Palm Springs Desert Sun that by using the tree as a prop it could encourage one of her followers to do the same.
"We don't want to incite people to carry out some kind of threat against Miley Cyrus, or anybody else that would do that," he said.
"We would just remind her that she has a big following, people watch what she does, and it would be greatly appreciated by the Park Service and the people around the area if she would maybe curb that type of activity, especially posting it on her social media page."
The "Nothing Breaks Like a Heart" singer, who tends to be a pretty environmentally conscious, hasn't responded to the backlash just yet – but she has turned the comments off on her Instagram.
However, it didn't stop fans sounding off on Twitter and asking her to delete the image.
Show some respect. Don’t climb the Joshua Trees. Not what they’re there for. 🤦🏻♀️ #educateyourselfplease
— Robin Schmelling (@RobinSchmelling) April 3, 2019
Hey. I work for the Joshua Tree National Park and you should not climb Joshua trees. Their limbs are very fragile and don’t regenerate. We have issues with visitors climbing and damaging our iconic trees. Please take this down so others don’t climb and damage them. Thanks.
— william hart (@praisecheezus) April 2, 2019
Please don’t climb our Joshua trees (and then post it for people to imitate) they are protected and extremely delicate! Please respect our wildlife!
— C a r r i ea n n (@Turbobinny) April 3, 2019
@MileyCyrus pls be informed when visiting our national parks pic.twitter.com/DsoUDyDeCZ
— əəʞ ıəɐɥɔɐɹ (@raachaelkee) April 3, 2019
Typical, rules don’t apply to you because your rich and famous...or are you going to take the celebrity way and claim photoshop or drug abuse...call it like it is - “I’m a spoil little brat who gets what she want.”...forget those protected trees...
— r b wildt (@b_wildt) April 3, 2019
Most counties and towns protect Joshua Trees, it's probably not a good idea to climb one.
— MMMelodee (@MMMukalla) April 2, 2019
you do realize that these trees are protected, right?
— 𝕂𝕒𝕥𝕖𝟙𝟙𝟛𝟠 ☠ (@Wembley138) April 4, 2019
take it from a local.
hey lentil-head, don't climb on (endangered and fragile) Joshua trees.
— Mike Heimos (@EarlyModSquad) April 3, 2019
