Introduction A single Instagram post can turn a quiet national park trail into a crowded photo line. While these “Instagram spots” attract visitors, heavy crowds can disturb animals and damage habitats. This raises a key question: should parks close some popular photo locations to protect wildlife?
Constructive Debater 1 Loren Some Instagram-famous spots in national parks should be closed temporarily to protect wildlife. Animals cannot recover quickly from constant stress caused by large crowds, noise, and people leaving marked trails for photos. When locations go viral, damage spreads fast through trampled plants, discarded food and trash, and disturbed nesting areas. For example, researchers have documented severe wear at Peru’s Rainbow Mountain after social media exposure. Short-term closures give rangers time to repair trails, set barriers, and restore habitats before the harm to wildlife becomes permanent.
Debater 2 Olivia Closing Instagram spots in national parks may sound protective, but it can create new problems. When one location is shut, visitors often move to nearby areas, spreading pressure on wildlife instead of reducing it. Closures can also hurt local communities that depend on tourism. Rather than shutting spots entirely, parks can manage crowds through permits, timed entry, and better trail design. Zion National Park’s Angels Landing, for example, uses a permit system to reduce harm while keeping access open.
Rebuttal Debater 1 Loren A permit system can reduce crowding, but it would not fully protect the most fragile wildlife areas. Some animals abandon nests or feeding grounds when humans are near, regardless of how organized a visit may be. In these cases, temporary closures are more effective. Some parks have already used closures to great success, such as Thailand’s Maya Bay, which closes annually to let the ecosystem recover from tourism. Closing spots does not mean banning tourists forever. Parks can also remove geotags for fragile sites and guide visitors to less sensitive photo spots.
Debater 2 Olivia The real issue is not Instagram spots themselves but how visitors behave around them. Closing locations punishes everyone, even those who follow the rules. Parks can protect wildlife by changing behavior through strict enforcement, education, and guided access. In the Galapagos Islands, distance rules and authorized guides allow people to view animals without causing harm. In the U.S., parks like Yellowstone use warnings, patrols, and fines to discourage unsafe actions. Strict rules can protect wildlife while keeping parks open to the public.
Judge’s Comments Loren highlighted how temporary closures can give wildlife critical recovery time, while Olivia offered strong alternatives. What do you think is the best way to protect wildlife? Should parks impose more restrictions on tourists?
May For The Junior Times junior/1768462299/1613367801
1. Who suggested that closures give wildlife time to recover?
2. What happened to Rainbow Mountain after social media exposure?
3. Why did Maya Bay in Thailand close for some time?
4. How can managing crowds improve the health of national parks?
1. Have you ever visited a spot just for photos?
2. Should we stop using geotags to protect nature?
3. Do you think people behave worse during photos?
4. What is your opinion on this topic?
Introduction
Rebuttal
