While camping is supposed to encourage Australians to be at one with nature, it seems some are taking the opportunity far too literally and to the detriment of others.
An Aussie council situated along the Turquoise Coast in Western Australia has called out campers who choose to drop their drawers and take a dump in the bush, flagging it as an ongoing issue that hinders fellow campers and the environment alike.
In a tongue-in-cheek social post, the Shire of Dandaragan joked that a new animal had been discovered recently at Sandy Cape -- with it being the only known species to willingly "crap in their own nest". Despite the sarcastic tone, the council told Yahoo News the problem persists in a serious way.
"Whilst the Shire provides significant waste management facilities at Sandy Cape, some would prefer to share their private parts with the twigs and ticks that surround their campsites," Will Miller, the Manager of Operations and Community Safety at Shire of Dandaragan Council, told Yahoo.
"[The council] has handed out several fines over the past year to people not bringing toilets to the areas, which is required as a part of their booking conditions. The camping options at Sandy Cape are designed to be flexible enough to suit most respectful campers, yet as always, a small minority like to ruin things for all."
Campers can be fined $300 for failing to bring their own toilet into camping areas, and council can also take action under the Litter Act.
Miller explained that there is at least one council ranger patrolling campsites along Sandy Cape each day in a bid to tackle this issue, but the expected influx of tourists over the summer months is going to make the job much more challenging.
"As we head into summer, visitor numbers increase dramatically, which also increases the antisocial behaviour. To meet these concerns, the Shire's ranger team spends significantly more time at the campgrounds to try and deter bad behaviour; however, it doesn't always happen right in front of their eyes," he said.
"Sandy Cape is patrolled regularly, checked for illegal campers, no shows, or those who refuse to bring their own toilet to our nature-based camping areas."
The council is urging fellow campers to report bad behaviour as the patrols are expected to span into "early morning and late evening" to try to curb the issue.
The Shire of Dandaragan isn't the first authority to struggle with the ongoing poo problem occurring in campsites and bushland around the country. In Tasmania, the problem has been particularly bad in national parks, with walking tracks and campsites left with human waste sitting for others to find.
A ranger for Tasmania Parks and Wildlife previously told Yahoo News there had been an "unprecedented" amount of human poo in wilderness areas.
"As a wilderness ranger, we transport a lot of poo that we find while out and about," Olivia Hickey said. Hickey encourages campers to carry their waste in a pot or jar until they find a toilet.
While it may seem like there is no harm in defecating in the bush, it actually poses major repercussions, as it kills plants and also invites weed species to come in. Any changes to these areas, often world heritage listed, can impact the unchanged landscapes for a long time.
Campsites in the Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area in Queensland also introduced $464 fines for the act last year after the issue was becoming increasingly more prevalent.