ARIZONA STATE PARKS: For Immediate Release
Managing and conserving Arizona’s natural, cultural and recreational resources for the benefit of the people, both in our Parks and through our Partners. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Bilbrey at (602) 542-1996 or (602) 228-8518. Contact by Email: pio(at)azstateparks.gov
(Phoenix, AZ - October 14, 2009) - Early on the morning of October 12th Kartchner Caverns State Park cave personnel found that someone had broken through the heavy metal gate and had entered the caverns the night before. Forcible entry was made through the lower portal of the cavern into the Big Room and Tarantula passageway that is closed in the summer. The break-in did not cause substantial damage and the Throne/Rotunda tours are continuing. The Big Room opens each year on October 15 after the bats leave the cave and those tours are on schedule there as well.
On Tuesday three cave scientists: Dr. Bob Casavant, Ginger Nolan, and Steve Willsey followed the original cave discoverer trails to different passages and did a complete survey of the cave to determine the extent of the damage. Gary Tenen, one of the cave's original discoverers, also agreed to volunteer five hours slogging through sticky mud into the back areas of the cave to assist in the investigation. The team checked scientific monitoring stations while they were in the deeper recessed areas as well and will have that scientific data to add to the reports on the cave's health in the future.
"Unfortunately there was some damage to some of the stalactites (see photos) when the suspect(s) left the Big Room trail and walked over the calcite formation on the floor of the cave (see photos.) The intruder(s) also left a trail through the "strawberry passage," said research science manager, Dr. Bob Casavant, but we were glad to find out that overall very little damage was done. This could have been an extremely serious situation," he said.
"We are concerned that these people breached the cave and will be enhancing our security measures," says Executive Director Renée Bahl. Kartchner Caverns State Park manager, Dave Pawlik, will continue the investigation in cooperation with the Cochise County Sheriff's Office.
Make your cave tour reservation by calling (520) 586-2283 seven days a week from 8am to 5pm MST. Rotunda/Throne Room Tours are available for $18.95 for ages 14 and up and $9.95 for those aged 7 to 13 (children 6 and younger are free). The Big Room Tours are available for $22.95 for ages 14 and up and $12.95 for those aged 7 to 13 (children younger than 7 are not permitted into the Big Room). The Park also offers a large, modern campground adjacent to the Whetstone Mountains with views of the entire San Pedro Valley. Kartchner Caverns State Park is located on Highway 90, nine miles South of I-10 near Benson, Arizona.
For more information about the 30 State Parks, statewide hiking opportunities, off-highway vehicle trails, and other outdoor recreational and cultural opportunities in Arizona, call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703) or visit AZStateParks.com. Follow us on twitter.com/AZStateParks.
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See 10th Anniversary Celebration Event Schedule 
Learn more about Kartchner Caverns State Park
link to this page:
http://azstateparks.com/press/2009/PR_10-14-09.html
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