Wavulpane (Cave near the village of)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

Two streams, which arrive arriving from two different catchment areas, flow onto exposed limestone (note 1) where they disappear from the surface and sink into two insurgences to join underground and form an estimated 475 m length of stream cave passages magnificently decorated with speleothems and draining towards a resurgence. The two insurgences of the three entrances (7.8 m and 5.6 m wide and 7.5 m and 4.2 m high) are connected by a more or less horizontal cave passage, which is up to 15 m high (SIFFRE 1975: 24) and drains a stream (26 ltr/sec mean annual flow) not only called Halwini Oya (FERNANDO s.a., circa 2000) but also Kalmina Ganga (SIFFRE 1975: 26) and Halwinna Dola (note 2). The second stream enters the cave from high above and falls 40 m in three steps before joining the stream flowing through the master cave passage where lateral passages, not suitable for casual visitors, are reputed to house snakes or so (FERNANDO s.a., circa 2000 on lankalibrary.com/heritage/vavulpan.htm accessed 15.11.2003). The third entrance and resurgence remains undescribed. ETYMOLOGY: Wavulpane has been appropriately named: it means Cave of Bats, after the thousands of these creatures that inhabit it (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974, 1983: 247). The strange thing is that the Sinhala noun -wavul- (vavul, wawul) does mean bat (Zoologically: Chiroptera) but no other cave on the island of Sri Lanka is -pane- (or so). On the Survey of Ceylon one-inch sheet -Timbolketiya- (1966, 1969), it is indicated as Limestone Cave north-west of the trigonometrical station Wavulpane (N06°25': E080°45') and between the villages of Wavulpane (N06°26'30”: E080°44') and Werawatta (N06°26': E080°43'30”). So far, I saw the cave's name spelled or transcribed, edited and printed as Bat Cave BROOKS et al. (2002: 19) Cave of Bats CEYLON TRAVELLER (1974, 1983: 247); WILSON (1988: 23) Limestone Cave SURVEY of CEYLON (1969): Timbolketiya (One-Inch series) Oldest Cave OLDEST CAVE FOUND (1968.08.04, 196, 1969) Vava Pena BROOKS et al. (2002: 19) Vavul Pena WILSON (1988: 23) Vavulpane FERNANDO (2000) Walupana WILSON (1988: 23) Waulpane SIFFRE (1975: 16, 17, 39, 40) Waulpane [rivière souterraine de] SIFFRE (1975: 22) Waupane [River Cave] MIDDLETON & WALTHAM (1986: 182) Waulpena nima.mil/geonames (accessed 16.11.2003) Wavul Pane info.lk/srilanka/srilankatravelguide (accessed 2009.08.03) Wavulpane CEYLON TRAVELLER (1974, 1983: 247); BROOKS et al. (2002: 19) Wawulpane Eckrich, M. (1984 Mss: Bat cave distribution map). SITUATION: About 5 km in a direct line approximately south-west of the highway A18 from Pelmadulla (N06°37'28”: E080°33'07” WGS84), which lies 15 km ESE of Ratnapura (N06°40'58”: E080°23'57” WGS84), generally south-east to Hambantota and at linear distances of about 7 km WNW from Timbolketiya (N06°24'58”: E080°47'28” WGS84) and about 4 km approximately WSW from Colombage-ara (N06°26': E080°46') in the Kamburagamuwa Reserved Forest on the stream Halwinne in th area between the villages of Werawatta (N06°26': E080°43'30”) in the south-west and Wavulpane (N06°26'30”: E080°44') in the north-east.SITUATION 1968: The anonymous a cave (no name mentioned) is found … in the rich rubber-growing district about 12 miles [19.3 km] from the Uda Walawe River [note 3], in south-central Ceylon [note 4], about 60 miles [100 km along the road generally east and] south-east of Colombo (OLDEST CAVE FOUND 1969 quoting 1968b after 1968.08.04). SITUATION 1974: CEYLON TRAVELLER (1974: 245-246; 1983: 247-248) locates Wavulpane in a limestone formation on the eastern slope of the Rakwana range (note 5) and above the right bank of the Halwinne Dola, a tributary to the Andolu Ganga. The entrance lies north-west of the trigonometrical station of the same name and between the villages of Wavulpane and Werawatta and may be reached by four different approaches (note 6): APPROACH 1: Embilipitiya - Colombage ara (Colombageganga) route: Starting from Ratnapura, takethe highway A4 east-south-east to Pelmadulla and continue along the A18 south-east via Embilipitiya (N06°20'38”: E080°50'56” WGS84) towards Nonagama (N06°07': E080°59') but turn off on a gravel track just past the village of Colombageganga (note 7). Keep trekking along the right bank of the river. The path carries on to the village of Katukumbura, past the confluence of a little stream, the Halwinne dola, with the Andolu Ganga. The path crosses the stream twice. The cave lies to the left of, and a few hundred metres beyond, the point where the path emerges to the left of the stream. This route is just about 8 km on foot. APPROACH 2: Palebadda - Halwinna route: Turn off near the 18th mile-post (close to kilometre 29) on the Pelmadulla - Embilipitiya road just beyond the Pallebedde police station (Pallebedda N06°27': E080°44'). Proceed through the villages Halwinna (N06°26': E080°43') and south to Welenawatta (N06°26': E080°43'). The cave lies a little more than 1.5 m beyond. The distance from the main road is about 8 km; this route involves a tedious climb to an elevation of about 300 m. APPROACH 3: Palamcotta (N06°27': E080°40') route: Turn off to the left (east) near the commencement (northern side) of the hairpin bends at the Bulutota Pass (N06°28': E080°38') and follow the road generally east via the Palamcotta to the El Chico estate. The road ends at El Chico (N06°27': E080°41') and is succeeded by a track and path that winds through the hills at elevations between 300 m and 600 m. The footpath eventually reaches the village of Halwinna (N06°26': E080°43'), from where the route is as stated in Approach 2: Turn right at Halwinna and proceed south. A good section of this route is jeepable but a 5 km walk cannot be avoided. APPROACH 4: The cave lies about 6.5 km from Kolonne (N06°24': E080°41') on the Embilipitiya - Panamure - Suriyakande - Rakwana road, along a footpath via the villages of Kitalabokka (N06°25': E080°42$*) and Dambemada (N06°25': E080°43'). SITUATION 1975: SIFFRE (1975: 24) locates la rivière souterraine de Waulpane in the south (of the island) and at a walking distance of 25 km (sic) from the village of Waulpane (Wavulpane). On the way back, SIFFRE (1975: 26) walked an estimated 10 km along the Kalmina Ganga (sic! qua: Halwinna Dola N06°24': E080°43' WGS84) and past an unidentified populated place (Halwinna N06°26': E080°43') to the confluence of a certain Dolota Ganga (sic! qua: Andolu Ganga) where eating canned remains of dead animals was noteworthy. Eventually, the vehicle was reached after having crossed an unidentified banana plantation (note 8). SITUATION 1988: WILSON (1988: 23) places Vavul Pena … just over 2 miles [3.3 km) as the crow flies SWS [south-west-south] of Pallabeda [Pallebedda N06°27': E080°44'] on the Embilipitiya - Pelmadulla road, but driving there along the very poor circuitous road takes about half an hour. A jeepable unmetalled track from the elamdulla - Kolonne road (the Walupana -- also spelled Wavulpane -- Development Road) goes within a kilometre of the cave. From the end of the road a pleasant track along the Halwinna River (a tributary of the Andolu Ganga) goes to the attractive upstream entrance where the river plunges into the cave. The local geology comprises mainly metamorphics but the cave seems to be in a thin band of calcareous sandstone and limestone. Ochre deposits are evident at the nearest washing place to the cave. SITUATION 2002a: Vavulpane is a village in the Ratnapura District and in the Kolonne Korale, about 278 m (912 feet) above sea level … On reaching Ratnapura town, proceed on the Embilipitiya road up to Pallebadde junction. Turn off there and proceed along the Bulutota road about 10 km and you will reach the Vavulpane Sanwardhana Mawatha. It is approximately 2 km on foot from there to the Vavulpane school. […] We parked our van at the top of the road and had a 2.5 km walk downhill as the route wa not negotiable for a light van such as ours. If you wish to avoid this long hike, the only suitable vehicle is a jeep or similar four-wheel drive vehicle. We came to Vavulpane Vidyalaya [school], where we met the Principal Michael Pathirana who took us along the 500 m footpath to the caves (FERNANDO 2002). SITUATION 2002b: Vava Pena (Bat Cave also known as Wavulpane) near to Pallebada (BROOKS et al. 2002: 19). SITUATION 2007: The Internet webshite info.lk/srilanka/srilankatravelguide/ecotours (accessed 2009.08.02) provides a generously error spiced wording relating on the one-hand side to the Wavul Pane - Kolonna [note 9] … limestone grotto of Vavulpane (sic) but on the other to the magnificent cavern lying isolated on the Eastern slope of the Bulutota Rakwana range [note 10] north-west of Embilipitiya. The cave is located in the Ratnapura District, in the Kolonne Korale, about 278 m (912 feet) above sea level. GEOLOGICAL SITUATION: WILSON (1988: 23) simply projects some geological apects of the Mendip Hills (United Kingdom of Great Britain) onto Sri Lanka and surmises that Vavul Pena … seems to be in a thin band of calcareous sandstone and limestone. CAVE DESCRIPTION 1961: SIFFRE (1975: 16) gives two photographs, of which the top one is titled C'est dague en main que j'explorais les eaux putrides de la rivière souterraine de Waulpane (me on the right-hand side exploring the putrid waters of Waulpane's underground river) and shows an informally dressed French caver standing knee-deep in water in what looks like an about 3 m high and wide stream cave passage fringed with floating driftwood. The second photograph, titled Le siphon (the sump), shows equipment (toys of a big caving boy) worn by a person standing of kneeling in water. SIFFRE (1975: 22-26) narrates a first visit to the so-called rivière souterraine (note 11) of Waulpane where a two or three metre wide stream (or streambed) sinks into a vaste porche de grotte (huge cave entrance) without identifie dimensions gives access to an ante-chamber from where a slippery descend across bat guano leads into a cave passage where bats cover the ceiling at a height of 15 m above the head of a French adventure caver dressed in tough cotton trousers and a shirt, and wearing a helmet-mounted lampe à acétylène (carbide lamp) in addition to an electric torch-light warding off ubiquitously imagined leopards and bears. Following the passage downstream past a spot where a small waterfall tumbles from the ceiling, one gets not only more and more brown due to guano but also reaches a putrid sump spiced with guano and decorated with dead bats (note 12). SIFFRE (1975: 39-42) narrates a second visit for diving the eau glauque et putride of the siphon (sump) or voûte mouillante (duck) without airspace. In spite of diving the driftwood obstructed exsurgence against the current, the dive is rapide (quick, short) and takes only a few seconds (note 13). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1968: OLDEST CAVE FOUND (1969 after OLEST …1968 quoting 1968.08.04): A cave millions of years old with giant 50 ft [15.24 m] stalactites has been discovered in central Ceylon. Its discoverers believe the large natural underground palace may be the oldest cave known to man. It is about a quarter of a mile [400 m] long, reaching a height of more than 70 ft [21.3 m] within, and contains a 70 ft [21.3 m] waterfall. With its great natural beauty, the cave could become a major tourist attraction. CAVE DESCRIPTION 1974: Wavulpane, a magnificent cavern … is a veritable museum of natural sculpture and contains large numbers of stalagmites and stalactites that give its inner regions an out-of-this-world appearance. The age of the cavern is estimated at approximately 500 million years [note 14] (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974: 245; 1983: 247). The interior of the cave presents a veritable cathedral carved out by nature. Suspended from the high domed roof of the cavern is an enormous stalactitic formation that resembles a chandelier. … fantasic limestone draperies strewn about in sweet disorder. Pillars and columns of precipitated calcareous substances are everywhere while high up, at the left side of the cave, balconies carved out of the stone disappear into the earth. The cave also contains an unusual geological phenomenon -- that of trans-basin diversion. This consists of a stream that flows on the hillside by the cave diving through a hole in the hillside -- and the hole is in the roof of the cave. The result is a subterranean waterfall as well as a lake in the cavern (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974: 246; 1983: 248). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1986: MIDDLETON & WALTHAM (1986: 182) pack six major blunders into one effective 14-word sentence: Close to Ratnapura is a 200m-long cave formed in conglomerate, the Waupane River Cave (note 15). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1988: … large, by Sri Lankan standards. The upstream entrance chamber is at least 100 m long, 20 m wide and 30 m high. … [Bat] guano coats walls and floor … The river resurges from the cae after less than 300 m and a through trip (swimming in deep and quite turbulent water) is possible if an immersion in dilute bat guano appeals (WILSON, J 1988: 23) CAVE DESCRIPTION 2000 (FERNANDO s.a., circa 2000; lankalibrary.com/heritage/vavulpane.htm accessed 15.11.2003) reports a spring of water (26 ltr/sec), which is rich in calcium carbonate and iron hydroxide giving the water a rust orange coloured pallor. At a distance of about 100 m from the spring, and 50 vertical metres lower, the stream enters a penetrable sinkhole (insurgence) and falls 40 m in a series of three steps. Pathirana told us that once, he had gone down into the hole using ropes and had seen an exquisite cave, through which one could crawl, within which could be seen, pure white stalactites and stalagmites. Avoiding this topmost entrance via a steep descend in the open air along natural steps, slippery and green, overgrown with rock moss for the main entrance that takes a small stream, the Halwini Oya. We cautously felt our way along the rock face, to avoid falling into the stream which flowed several feet below us … We had only one torch and a firebrand lit from a coconut husk … Rising in a dome-like shape, the main cave has a hole through which the water falls, in a soft cool curtain … CAVE DESCRIPTION 6: Among many similar other Internet webshites, srilankaecotourism.com/caving (accessed 2009.06.27) considers Waulpane Cave to be … an isolated cavern set against the eastern slopes of the Rakwana Range. It contains a large number of stalactites and stalagmites … You will enter and walk through this 100 feet [30.5 m] high cave … The stream, which runs through the cave, occupies half the ground space inside it it and at the centre meets an eighty foot waterfall that falls on to it from close to the top of the cave … You may encounter a few water monitors, Amphibians and thousands of Bats in this fully dark cave. info.lk/srilanka/srilankatravelguide/ecotours/preh… (acessed 2009.08.03): Wavul Pane [sic], Kolonna: This limestone grotto of Vavulpane [sic]. The grotos [sic] consist of at least 12 caves of varying sizes. This is a magnificent cavern lying isolated on the Eastern slope of the Bulutota Rakwana range, north-west of Embilipitiya. The cave is located in the Ratnapura District, in the Kolonne Korale, about 278 m (912 feet) above sea level. The caves are appropriately named; it means Cave of Bats after the 250,000 bats that inhabit it.SPELEOMETRY: Unknowable (unsurveyed). OLDEST CAVE FOUND (1968a edited 1968b, 1969): It is about a quarter of a mile [400 m] long, reaching a height of more than 70 ft [21.3 m] within. MIDDLETON & WALTHAM (1986: 182): … a 200 m long cave formed in conglomerate, the Waupane [sic!] River Cave. WILSON (1988: 23) … large, by Sri Lankan standards. The upstream entrance chamber is at least 100 m long, 20 m wide and 30 m high. FERNANDO (s.a., circa 2000, lankalibrary.com/heritage/vavulpane.htm accessed 15.11.2003) has he waterfall on the Halwini Oya (Halwinna Dola) falling 40 m down into the cave. Brooks in: BROOKS et al. (2002: 19) decided that the cave called Vava Pena (Bat Cave also known as Wavulpane) … is a 300 m long stream cave … CAVE LIFE: SIFFRE (1975: 18) noticed in February 1961 pale, about 10 cm long crevettes (Crustacea: conf. Palaemonidae) or shrips with two small eyes reflecting light. Frightened, they hide (note 16). SIFFRE (1975: 41) caught in March 1961 a fish, which a certain M. Deranyagala suggested to resemble a Brown Snake-Head (Ophiocepahlus gachua). WILSON (1988: 23) notes at least three Chiroptera species, including a Horseshoe bat, possibly Rhinolophus luctus, and two Vespertilionids, probably Pipistrellus coromandra and Hesperoptenus tickelly. The bats produce large quantities of guano which supports an abundance of cockroaches (Dictyoptera) and other guanophiles. Toads and a few tree frogs find the threshold zones of the cave good hunting grounds. FERNANDO (2000) reporte millions and millions of cockroaches of innumerable varieties in addition to an estimated number of 250,000 bats [Chiroptera, five species of Microchiroptera, one Macrochiroptera species] and was told that in the stream dwell unique species of fish that are similar to eels, and can be seen even with the total absence of light.he waterfall on the Halwini Oya (Halwinna Dola) falling 40 m down into the cave. Brooks in: BROOKS et al. (2002: 19) decided that the cave called Vava Pena (Bat Cave also known as Wavulpane) … is a 300 m long stream cave … CAVE LIFE: SIFFRE (1975: 18) noticed in February 1961 pale, about 10 cm long crevettes (Crustacea: conf. Palaemonidae) or shrips with two small eyes reflecting light. Frightened, they hide (note 16). SIFFRE (1975: 41) caught in March 1961 a fish, which a certain M. Deranyagala suggested to resemble a Brown Snake-Head (Ophiocepahlus gachua). WILSON (1988: 23) notes at least three Chiroptera species, including a Horseshoe bat, possibly Rhinolophus luctus, and two Vespertilionids, probably Pipistrellus coromandra and Hesperoptenus tickelly. The bats produce large quantities of guano which supports an abundance of cockroaches (Dictyoptera) and other guanophiles. Toads and a few tree frogs find the threshold zones of the cave good hunting grounds. FERNANDO (2000) reportehe waterfall on the Halwini Oya (Halwinna Dola) falling 40 m down into the cave. Brooks in: BROOKS et al. (2002: 19) decided that the cave called Vava Pena (Bat Cave also known as Wavulpane) … is a 300 m long stream cave … CAVE LIFE: SIFFRE (1975: 18) noticed in February 1961 pale, about 10 cm long crevettes (Crustacea: conf. Palaemonidae) or shrips with two small eyes reflecting light. Frightened, they hide (note 16). SIFFRE (1975: 41) caught in March 1961 a fish, which a certain M. Deranyagala suggested to resemble a Brown Snake-Head (Ophiocepahlus gachua). WILSON (1988: 23) notes at least three Chiroptera species, including a Horseshoe bat, possibly Rhinolophus luctus, and two Vespertilionids, probably Pipistrellus coromandra and Hesperoptenus tickelly. The bats produce large quantities of guano which supports an abundance of cockroaches (Dictyoptera) and other guanophiles. Toads and a few tree frogs find the threshold zones of the cave good hunting grounds. FERNANDO (2000) reportehe waterfall on the Halwini Oya (Halwinna Dola) falling 40 m down into the cave. Brooks in: BROOKS et al. (2002: 19) decided that the cave called Vava Pena (Bat Cave also known as Wavulpane) … is a 300 m long stream cave … CAVE LIFE: SIFFRE (1975: 18) noticed in February 1961 pale, about 10 cm long crevettes (Crustacea: conf. Palaemonidae) or shrips with two small eyes reflecting light. Frightened, they hide (note 16). SIFFRE (1975: 41) caught in March 1961 a fish, which a certain M. Deranyagala suggested to resemble a Brown Snake-Head (Ophiocepahlus gachua). WILSON (1988: 23) notes at least three Chiroptera species, including a Horseshoe bat, possibly Rhinolophus luctus, and two Vespertilionids, probably Pipistrellus coromandra and Hesperoptenus tickelly. The bats produce large quantities of guano which supports an abundance of cockroaches (Dictyoptera) and other guanophiles. Toads and a few tree frogs find the threshold zones of the cave good hunting grounds. FERNANDO (2000) reportehe waterfall on the Halwini Oya (Halwinna Dola) falling 40 m down into the cave. Brooks in: BROOKS et al. (2002: 19) decided that the cave called Vava Pena (Bat Cave also known as Wavulpane) … is a 300 m long stream cave … CAVE LIFE: SIFFRE (1975: 18) noticed in February 1961 pale, about 10 cm long crevettes (Crustacea: conf. Palaemonidae) or shrips with two small eyes reflecting light. Frightened, they hide (note 16). SIFFRE (1975: 41) caught in March 1961 a fish, which a certain M. Deranyagala suggested to resemble a Brown Snake-Head (Ophiocepahlus gachua). WILSON (1988: 23) notes at least three Chiroptera species, including a Horseshoe bat, possibly Rhinolophus luctus, and two Vespertilionids, probably Pipistrellus coromandra and Hesperoptenus tickelly. The bats produce large quantities of guano which supports an abundance of cockroaches (Dictyoptera) and other guanophiles. Toads and a few tree frogs find the threshold zones of the cave good hunting grounds. FERNANDO (2000) reportehe waterfall on the Halwini Oya (Halwinna Dola) falling 40 m down into the cave. Brooks in: BROOKS et al. (2002: 19) decided that the cave called Vava Pena (Bat Cave also known as Wavulpane) … is a 300 m long stream cave … CAVE LIFE: SIFFRE (1975: 18) noticed in February 1961 pale, about 10 cm long crevettes (Crustacea: conf. Palaemonidae) or shrips with two small eyes reflecting light. Frightened, they hide (note 16). SIFFRE (1975: 41) caught in March 1961 a fish, which a certain M. Deranyagala suggested to resemble a Brown Snake-Head (Ophiocepahlus gachua). WILSON (1988: 23) notes at least three Chiroptera species, including a Horseshoe bat, possibly Rhinolophus luctus, and two Vespertilionids, probably Pipistrellus coromandra and Hesperoptenus tickelly. The bats produce large quantities of guano which supports an abundance of cockroaches (Dictyoptera) and other guanophiles. Toads and a few tree frogs find the threshold zones of the cave good hunting grounds. FERNANDO (2000) reportehe waterfall on the Halwini Oya (Halwinna Dola) falling 40 m down into the cave. Brooks in: BROOKS et al. (2002: 19) decided that the cave called Vava Pena (Bat Cave also known as Wavulpane) … is a 300 m long stream cave … CAVE LIFE: SIFFRE (1975: 18) noticed in February 1961 pale, about 10 cm long crevettes (Crustacea: conf. Palaemonidae) or shrips with two small eyes reflecting light. Frightened, they hide (note 16). SIFFRE (1975: 41) caught in March 1961 a fish, which a certain M. Deranyagala suggested to resemble a Brown Snake-Head (Ophiocepahlus gachua). WILSON (1988: 23) notes at least three Chiroptera species, including a Horseshoe bat, possibly Rhinolophus luctus, and two Vespertilionids, probably Pipistrellus coromandra and Hesperoptenus tickelly. The bats produce large quantities of guano which supports an abundance of cockroaches (Dictyoptera) and other guanophiles. Toads and a few tree frogs find the threshold zones of the cave good hunting grounds. FERNANDO (2000) reportehe waterfall on the Halwini Oya (Halwinna Dola) falling 40 m down into the cave. Brooks in: BROOKS et al. (2002: 19) decided that the cave called Vava Pena (Bat Cave also known as Wavulpane) … is a 300 m long stream cave … CAVE LIFE: SIFFRE (1975: 18) noticed in February 1961 pale, about 10 cm long crevettes (Crustacea: conf. Palaemonidae) or shrips with two small eyes reflecting light. Frightened, they hide (note 16). SIFFRE (1975: 41) caught in March 1961 a fish, which a certain M. Deranyagala suggested to resemble a Brown Snake-Head (Ophiocepahlus gachua). WILSON (1988: 23) notes at least three Chiroptera species, including a Horseshoe bat, possibly Rhinolophus luctus, and two Vespertilionids, probably Pipistrellus coromandra and Hesperoptenus tickelly. The bats produce large quantities of guano which supports an abundance of cockroaches (Dictyoptera) and other guanophiles. Toads and a few tree frogs find the threshold zones of the cave good hunting grounds. FERNANDO (2000) reportehe waterfall on the Halwini Oya (Halwinna Dola) falling 40 m down into the cave. Brooks in: BROOKS et al. (2002: 19) decided that the cave called Vava Pena (Bat Cave also known as Wavulpane) … is a 300 m long stream cave … CAVE LIFE: SIFFRE (1975: 18) noticed in February 1961 pale, about 10 cm long crevettes (Crustacea: conf. Palaemonidae) or shrips with two small eyes reflecting light. Frightened, they hide (note 16). SIFFRE (1975: 41) caught in March 1961 a fish, which a certain M. Deranyagala suggested to resemble a Brown Snake-Head (Ophiocepahlus gachua). WILSON (1988: 23) notes at least three Chiroptera species, including a Horseshoe bat, possibly Rhinolophus luctus, and two Vespertilionids, probably Pipistrellus coromandra and Hesperoptenus tickelly. The bats produce large quantities of guano which supports an abundance of cockroaches (Dictyoptera) and other guanophiles. Toads and a few tree frogs find the threshold zones of the cave good hunting grounds. FERNANDO (2000) reporte millions and millions of cockroaches of innumerable varieties in addition to an estimated number of 250,000 bats [Chiroptera, five species of Microchiroptera, one Macrochiroptera species] and was told that in the stream dwell unique species of fish that are similar to eels, and can be seen even with the total absence of light.