The sale of these materials encourages further removal and destruction of caves' economic, scientific, recreational, aesthetic, and intrinsic values.

Cave formations and cave rocks comprise much of what is a cave and are a large component of its worth. Unlike other subsurface mineral resources, cave rocks and formations are humanly accessible. Not only can cave explorers visit these places, but many caves are open for tourists, scientists, and photographers to visit too.

The sale of speleothems encourages the removal of cave formations and rocks. Several states have enacted laws prohibiting the removal or sale of cave rocks. Caves on all federal lands are also protected.

This page was created as a result of a number of cave rock sales occurring on internet web sites. The site provides contacts to appropriate law enforcement agencies, several cave conservation organizations, and to cave experts who can answer questions about protecting caves.

Please, do not buy or sell any cave rocks or formations, regardless of their country of origin. Enjoy the formations in place at the caves where they've developed.

Please, Do Not Buy or Sell Any Cave Rocks or Formations!

The Latest: Internet Sales

Many of the recent cave rocks for sale have occurred on the internet site: ebay.com. After several sales, the Kentucky State Police have forwarded ebay a message concerning the sale of speleothems in the state. Concerned individuals should keep an eye out for other internet cave rock sales. The National Speleological Society Cave Conservation and Management Section is working on an effort to address these internet issues.

RECENT ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS:

Charges pending in Idaho.

Jail time for Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, vandals.

Jail time, community service, and probation given to Indiana man for cave vandalism.

Charges against businesses selling cave rocks, Cave City, Kentucky.

Links

National Speleological Society Cave Conservation and Management Section
- The National Speleological Society is the United States' largest caving organization. Their conservation and management section web page includes links to cave laws, cave conservation current events, and several of the world experts on cave conservation.

American Cave Conservation Association
- Based in Horse Cave, Kentucky, the ACCA provides a number of educational and professional services dealing with cave conservation. The assocation includes technical experts in cave gating, restoration, and conservation.

Kentucky State Police
- Report violations of the Kentucky Cave Law to the Kentucky State Police.

National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, United State Forest Service
- These agencies possess law enforcement capacity to protect their significant cave resources. Please contact these agencies about any activity which threatens caves on federal lands.