Parks officials in British Columbia said a hollowed-out Volkswagen Beetle suspected from a rock face in an apparent prank will be removed this week.

April 8 (UPI) -- Parks officials in British Columbia said a hollowed-out Volkswagen Beetle suspected from a rock face in an apparent prank will be removed this week.

The vehicle, painted red with a Canadian flag on the hood and the letter E on the roof, was spotted on a Squamish rock face known to climbers as The Papoose in late March.

The province's Ministry of Environment and Parks said the area is currently closed for safely reasons and the car will be removed within the next week.

A B.C. Parks spokesperson told Postmedia News the apparent prank "has placed an unnecessary strain on park operations at one of the busiest times of the year."

"The VW Beetle is suspended above power lines and Highway 99 and it is imperative that visitors stay out of the area until this is addressed," the spokesperson said. "If the car is not secured properly, it could fall and cause serious harm to visitors. Its removal may also pose a risk to those conducting the work to remove it."

A group claiming to be comprised of University of British Columbia engineering students took credit for the prank, which echoes previous stunts purportedly committed by UBC engineering personnel. Similarly painted Volkswagen Beetles have previously been suspended from locations including San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge in 2001 and Vancouver's Lions Gate Bridge in 2008.

The Squamish Nation released a statement to CBC News saying the rock face is a sacred site and not an appropriate location for a prank.

"Placing or hanging anything upon it is extremely disrespectful both to our People, and to our land," the statement said. "We sincerely hope that in the future, people treat it with the respect it deserves."