The Bureau of Land Management Pahrump field office has placed protective fencing at Big Dune in Nye County, Nevada, to protect the rare beetle known as Giuliani’s Dune Scarab from the public.
The buck-and-rail fencing on the north side of Big Dune will help direct off-highway vehicles away from the smaller dunes that are important to the Giuliani’s Dune Scarab, a Jan. 10 news release said.
“This beetle is rare, and the fencing is to protect the population while still leaving the vast majority of the dune available to off-highway vehicle activity,” Joe Varner, acting Pahrump field manager, said in the release. “We are asking the public to continue recreating at the dune, but to please not use OHV vehicles within this fenced area.”
More than 95% of the dune, including the main dune system is still over to visitors, the release reported. Reportedly, the beetles live in the smaller dunes until they reach adulthood and come out to breed.
“This will also protect some of the plants the beetle feeds on throughout the year,” the release said.
The Giuliani’s Dune Scarab beetle has been investigated for listing as an endangered species in 1991 and 1994, but according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, was not categorized as endangered or vulnerable.
The BLM posted the map of the fenced off area on the website for visitors to plan ahead. Big Dune is located on Valley View Road in Amargosa Valley, Nev. The BLM reported these dunes are most frequently visited by area residents.
