Current situation
Most people on Bonaire, private and governmental organizations recognize caves as important features in the landscape and are aware of one or several of their values. Besides its ecological importance as one of the main habitats of keystone species for Bonaire’s terrestrial ecosystem, caves have been crucial for human survival practically on every continent since the apparition of hominids on the planet. They have been used for housing, refuge, storage, many types of religious rituals, art expressions, water and food sources, exploration, advances on the field of natural science and much more.
It is no wonder that caves have vast historical and cultural values. Caves on Bonaire are no exception to these values; however, they lack effective protection and management while damage to some of these is already evident.
Read here the latest technical information in the recently published report by Wageningen University (available in Dutch only): "Status of nature in the Dutch Caribbean, 2017" Chapter 2.4 Caves.