Current:Home > reviews'World-changing' impact: Carlsbad Caverns National Park scolds visitor who left Cheetos -ProfitPioneers Hub
'World-changing' impact: Carlsbad Caverns National Park scolds visitor who left Cheetos
View
Date:2025-04-14 19:40:27
National park officials in New Mexico are calling out whoever is responsible for leaving a full bag of Cheetos that spread mold and caused an associated stench.
The snack bag took 20 minutes to recover from the Carlsbad Caverns National Park in southern New Mexico, the park's official Facebook page wrote on Sept. 6. Rangers meticulously removed the bag and all the molds that spread to nearby surfaces and caused a smell.
"At the scale of human perspective, a spilled snack bag may seem trivial, but to the life of the cave it can be world changing," the National Park Service said. "The processed corn, softened by the humidity of the cave, formed the perfect environment to host microbial life and fungi."
The park service continued that "cave crickets, mites, spiders and flies soon organize into a temporary food web, dispersing the nutrients to the surrounding cave and formations."
"Molds spread higher up the nearby surfaces, fruit, die and stink. And the cycle continues," the agency said.
While some organisms can thrive in the cave, the microbial life and molds created by the bag do not, park officials said.
Dropped bag was 'completely avoidable'
Park officials said that while incidental impacts are often impossible to prevent, a dropped snack bag is "completely avoidable."
"To the owner of the snack bag, the impact is likely incidental. But to the ecosystem of the cave it had a huge impact," the post read. "Great or small we all leave an impact wherever we go. How we choose to interact with others and the world we share together has its effects moment by moment."
The post urged park visitors to "leave the world a better place than we found it."
Over 100 million pounds of waste accumulated at U.S. national parks annual, according to nature research group Leave No Trace.
Yosemite scolds park visitors burying toilet paper
It's not the first time park officials have used social media to discourage improper park etiquette and it certainly won't be the last. In July, Yosemite’s National Park Service scolded those who bury toilet paper in an Instagram post.
“Picture this: Yosemite's majestic wilderness, stunning vistas, and… surprise! Used toilet paper waving hello near Rancheria Falls— a full roll too!” NPS wrote in the caption.
While a common technique, its often exposed by weather and erosion and animals looking for nesting material.
"Because really, nobody wants to stumble upon a surprise package left behind by an anonymous outdoor enthusiast," the agency said. "Let's keep things clean and classy out there, by packing out whatever you carry in."
Contributing: Amaris Encinas
veryGood! (3592)
Related
- Man charged with murder in death of beloved Detroit-area neurosurgeon
- Shots taken! Anderson Cooper, Andy Cohen down tequila again on CNN's 'New Year's Eve Live'
- Brazil’s economy improves during President Lula’s first year back, but a political divide remains
- Chad appoints a former opposition leader as prime minister of transitional government
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- Fiery New Year’s Day crash kills 2 and injures 5 following upstate NY concert, police investigating
- Fire at bar during New Year's Eve party kills 1, severely injures more than 20 others
- Who is Liberty? What to know about the Flames ahead of Fiesta Bowl matchup vs. Oregon
- JoJo Siwa reflects on Candace Cameron Bure feud: 'If I saw her, I would not say hi'
- 'Wonka' nabs final No. 1 of 2023, 'The Color Purple' gets strong start at box office
Ranking
- Michigan lawmaker who was arrested in June loses reelection bid in Republican primary
- 'AGT: Fantasy League' premiere: Simon Cowell feels 'dumped' after Mel B steals skating duo
- Housing market predictions: Six experts weigh in on the real estate outlook in 2024
- Horoscopes Today, December 30, 2023
- Connie Chiume, Black Panther Actress, Dead at 72: Lupita Nyong'o and More Pay Tribute
- Anderson Cooper on freeing yourself from the burden of grief
- Hilary Swank Reflects on Birth of Her Angel Babies in Message on Gratitude
- Plane catches fire on runway at Japan’s Haneda airport
Recommendation
The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
A crash on a New York City parkway leaves 5 dead
How Dominican women fight child marriage and teen pregnancy while facing total abortion bans
Christian McCaffrey won't play in 49ers' finale: Will he finish as NFL leader in yards, TDs?
Olympic disqualification of gold medal hopeful exposes 'dark side' of women's wrestling
Marsha Warfield, bailiff Roz Russell on ‘Night Court,’ returns to the show that has a ‘big heart’
Hack, rizz, slay and other cringe-worthy words to avoid in 2024
Doing the Dry January challenge? This sober life coach has tips for how to succeed.