Dropped Cheetos Bag Threatens Delicate Carlsbad Caverns Ecosystem

A single bag of Cheetos has caused significant disruption in Carlsbad Caverns, highlighting the impact of human litter on fragile environments.

Rangers spent 20 minutes removing mold and detritus from the cave surfaces.
The snack bag created a temporary food web involving crickets, mites, spiders, and flies.
The processed corn in Cheetos attracted microbial life and fungi, disrupting the cave's natural balance.
Park officials emphasize the importance of the 'leave no trace' principle to protect natural sites.
Visitors are only allowed to bring plain water into the cavern to prevent similar incidents.