Acting on a report from interpretive staff, protection rangers contacted a group of nine juveniles (including several people previously involved in shoplifting from an NPS information center, vehicle vandalism, and illegal cave entry incidents) as they were exiting an officially closed bat colony cave in the El Calderon area of the park. They were subsequently cited for a host of violations, including acts of vandalism to signs and to a vehicle, killing wildlife, and illegal entry of the cave area. A total of 16 violation notices were issued, with fines at this time totaling $2,700. Members of the group are facing additional charges, courtesy of the Cibola County, New Mexico Sheriff’s Department.
