Easter Islanders seek outside help for iconic statues 'leprosy'

Reuters ^ | 28 Feb 2019 | Marion Geraldo

[blueplum]

The giant heads, carved centuries ago by the island’s inhabitants, represent the living ancestors of Easter Island’s Polynesian people - the Rapa Nui - and have brought it UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Dozens of giant “Moai” statues dominate the hillsides surrounding the island’s Rano Raraku wetland, but they are facing the threat of what locals describe as a kind of leprosy, white spots that are appearing on their iconic facades.

[blueplum]

5 min read.

[Windflier]

Lichen happens.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Paint them stone color.

[cpdiii]

This article is idiocy. Lichen is easily killed with sodium hyperchlorite also known as bleach or chlorax.

Just spray the damn things down once a year and do not worry about it. It will not hurt the stone.

[TXnMA]

There are spray-on products which have been proven to safely remove mold & lichen growth and clean and protect tombstones.

Sounds like new market...

[mass55th]

Wish I had this article to show my friend, and her husband when we had lunch today, as they are leaving for Chile on Monday to take a tour of Easter Island, along with some of the other South American countries.

[Celtic Conservative]

What’s the matter? The local fungus has just taken a lichen to the statues.

CC

[blueplum]

but the bleach will hurt the three-toed worm or something.

I’d wrap them in foil like a baked potato and let the heat of the sun crispy critter the lichen. Don’t have to worry about any ants or worms or bees or anything.

[fruser1]

I think we should tell them the island is cursed and they need to leave. Then we can take it over and use it as a naval base.

[Windflier]

This article is idiocy. Lichen is easily killed with sodium hyperchlorite also known as bleach or chlorax.

I'm guessing the Easter Island school district doesn't teach basic chemistry.

[raybbr]

Too bad! Over the decades they wanted no interference. Now they want help. Too bad.

[hal ogen]

We were on Easter island a couple years ago. The statues were cool...and in the hundreds. The lichen is there...but minimal. The Easter island people are mainly welfare dependent (from Chile). They mainly “hang-out and look at the ocean. Our guide was a native. She complained about the people not wanting to work. She had great difficulty hiring employees.

[bgill]

Humans can eat lichen. It’s also used in medicines. With a little marketing, they could make a fortune off it.

[TXnMA]

"She complained about the people not wanting to work. She had great difficulty hiring employees."

Classic, 100% predictable socialistic welfare plantation results... Exactly what the demoncrats want for the US!

TXnMA
 

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks blueplum. Meh.

[Larry Lucido]

[colorado tanker]

Love that!