In September 2024, a package of Cheetos dropped inside Carlsbad Caverns triggered a chain reaction threatening the cave’s delicate ecosystem. This remarkable geological landmark, home to bats, cougars, and cave swallows, also hosts a finely balanced microbial community critical to its health.
The sugary starch, combined with the cave’s moisture, created a perfect breeding ground for molds and fungi. As insects took advantage, they established a temporary food web, accelerating decay and spreading fruiting bodies upward on nearby surfaces—the cycle continues with odors and decomposed matter accumulating.
Officials and ecologists highlighted the incident to emphasize the interconnectedness of ecosystems and called on visitors to respect these environments by following strict guidance, including prohibiting food inside caves.
