Thieves Steal Unique Sculptures from Redwood National Park's Grove of Titans
Thieves have struck Redwood National and State Parks, stealing unique sculptures and plaques from the popular Grove of Titans trail. The items, which included tactile models of local wildlife and a dugout canoe with Tolowa heritage significance, were part of an interpretive experience designed for visitors with visual impairments. The thefts, discovered in January 2025, have left park officials and the Tolowa people, who hold these trees and sculptures culturally and spiritually significant, distressed.
The stolen items, which included bronze statues of coho salmon, Humboldt martens, and banana slugs, as well as a dugout canoe, were part of a conservation project implemented in 2019. This project aimed to protect the Grove of Titans, which shelters some of the world's tallest trees, and provide an interactive learning experience for all visitors. The tactile sculptures and maps were intended to help visitors with impaired vision explore and understand the forest through touch.
The thefts are part of ongoing issues in the park, including redwood poaching and burl theft. Criminals target the knobbly growth at the base of redwood trees for use in fine woodworking, damaging or even killing the slow-growing trees. Another concern is illegal tree climbing, which can harm the canopy ecosystems that shelter endangered species. Save the Redwoods League, which helped establish the elevated trail and interactive displays in 2019, is working with park officials to address these challenges.
Park officials plan to replace the stolen items with less valuable models to maintain the interpretive experience. However, the trees and the recently stolen statues hold significant cultural and spiritual value to the Tolowa people. The thefts serve as a reminder of the ongoing threats to these ancient forests and the need for continued vigilance and protection. Anyone with information about the thefts is urged to contact park officials.
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