Caves in the Capes region are being entered illegally and vandalised, putting fragile ecosystems under threat.

Picture by Brian Combley: Members of Cavers Leeuwin cleaning up a cave.

Local park authorities have told the Times there were numerous incidents of littering, vandalism and entry without a permit to caves in the Busselton shire.

Department of Environment and Conservation caves manager Anne Wood said one cave in particular, along the beach, was visited by DEC staff four times a year, with drink cans and bottles, food wrappers and candles often found.

“Deliberate damage to speleothems has occurred in the cave, (that is) breakage of stalactites and stalagmites,” Ms Wood said.

“Part of the cave is track marked with fishing line and reflectors to indicate the path to take through the cave.

“At times this track marking has been found deliberately vandalised.”

Ms Wood said the cave environment was sensitive to changes and people walking on the cave floor could destroy it as a habitat for cave life.

“Northcote Grotto, which was once a tourist cave, has had a lot of rubbish removed from it,” she said.

“The cave contains water and tree roots, a combination that in most caves results in a very rich aquatic fauna.

“However, not in Northcote Grotto. We can only surmise that the reason for this is related to contamination in the past.”

She said entering caves without a permit was also dangerous for visitors as there were often deep drops and uneven surfaces to negotiate.