Caves Are Sensitive Caves formations, once damaged, almost never grow back. Their beauty is gone forever. What has taken centuries or perhaps tens of thousands of years to form can be irreparably damaged by a single careless or thoughtless moment. A muddy handprint or footprint permanently mars a formation and inhibits future growth. A careless move, or bumping against the ceiling, can break fragile cave formations.
Caves are sensitive environments.
The animals found in caves are easily disturbed by man. Bats aroused during their winter hibernation period often die. Water pollution, spent carbide from caving headlamps, and human waste may poison other organisms. Bones and artifacts found in caves are often very fragile. Frequently the manner in which they were deposited and preserved is as important scientifically as the objects themselves.