+---------------------------+-------------------+---+-------------------+
| National Park Service     | Sequoia and Kings |   | 47050 Generals    |
|                           | Canyon National   |   | Highway Three     |
| U.S. Department of the    | Parks             |   | Rivers, CA 93271  |
| Interior                  |                   |   |                   |
|                           | Use the complete  |   | 559 565-3341      |
|                           | site name here    |   | phone             |
|                           | (e.g. Palo Alto   |   |                   |
|                           | Battlefield       |   | 559 565-3730 fax  |
|                           | Historic Site).   |   |                   |
+---------------------------+-------------------+---+-------------------+

![](media/image1.png){width="0.5597222222222222in"
height="0.7201388888888889in"}

**Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks** News Release

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Use a "short-hand" version of the site name here (e.g. Palo Alto
  Battlefield not Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Site).

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

November 14, 2023

For Immediate Release

Alexandra Picavet 1-559 565-3131 <Alexandra_Picavet@nps.gov>

Joel Despain 1-559-565-3717

**New Cave Discovered in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks**

In August four researchers affiliated with the Cave Research Foundation
discovered a significant new cave within Sequoia and Kings Canyon
National Parks that has been named Ursa Minor for the Little Dipper
constellation.

The cave features large passages and rooms -- many of which are more
than 50 feet wide -- and beautiful cave formations. These include long
and graceful cave curtains, fragile soda straws up to 6 feet in length,
and large areas of multicolored flowstones. Crystals in the flowstone
produce brilliant sparkles across the cave's floors and walls. Ursa
Minor has a cave lake that may be as much as 100 feet across, and
vertical drops that must be traversed using ropes. Ancient animal
skeletons were found in the cave including one that resembles a bear
influencing the naming of the cave. Cave-adapted invertebrates that may
be new or rare species have also been seen. Three of the 27 new species
recently discovered in parks' caves appear to inhabit Ursa Minor. It is
clear that several of the larger passages continue and the actual length
of the cave remains unknown at this time.

Park Cave Specialist, Joel Despain, said, "We are all very excited about
the discovery of this beautiful new cave. It will add to our knowledge
of the parks, park wildlife, and park features. Knowing that the cave
exists will help us manage the area around the cave with its protection
in mind. It is a fine new addition to the many wonderful caves in the
two parks." Park staff believes that the cave resources of these
National Parks are so significant that they alone would justify the
inclusion of them as part of the National Park System.

In keeping with park policies, this new cave is automatically placed in
Management Class 4 from the Park Cave Management Plan. Such caves are
closed to recreational visits pending evaluation and scientific study.
Park cave management staff are conducting a series of trips with subject
matter experts to create an accurate and detailed map of the cave,
inventory its features, conduct a biological inventory, photo document
cave features and formations and gate the cave entrance to protect it.

The new cave was found as part of an on-going park-approved project
managed by the Cave Research Foundation that conducts searches for new
caves and cave passages. While Sequoia National Park is the nation's
second oldest park and was created in 1890, the discovery of significant
caves in the rugged mountains of the parks today challenges park
managers ability to properly balance protection and management for known
park features and newly discovered park resources.

NPS

Background:

Go to the parks' website [www.nps.gov/seki](../www.nps.gov/seki) for
more cave information or to
<http://www.goodearthgraphics.com/virtcave/virtcave.html>

Photos are available on request.