Caverne Patate

Caves of Rodrigues

Rodrigues is a volcanic island, mostly consisting of basaltic rocks. But in the south-western part, there is some 3 km² large area covered with limestone that has been formed from windswept coral dust. In this area in the limestone have formed some 30 caves.

In many of these caves have formed so-called "windows" or sinkholes – e.g. has collapsed the roof of cave thus forming a hole with steep walls. Of course, numerous animals have fallen in these holes (and still do) and now one can find their bones. Thus in many caves of Rodrigues can be found remnants of such extinct animals as giant tortoises and the weird solitaire birds. This is a valuable insight into the recent past of this remote island which had numerous unique species of plants and animals. Now, as humans have been "keeping house" for some centuries, there is not a single patch of virgin vegetation on this island – all the native plant and animal communities are extinct although some unique species have been preserved.

Potato cave

The most impressive cave on Rodrigues is Caverne Patate (translated as "potato cave") – a spacious cave which is named after the nearby fishing village. This cave was first described by captain de Labistour in 1789 – he reported that in this or (rather) another nearby cave were found bones of solitaire birds. Later, in the 1860ies – 1870ies in the caves of Rodrigues were found thousands of such bones of diverse animals.

This is a spacious cave with up to 25 m high ceiling. It was mapped in 1995 bringing the total length of its passages to 1 140 m (2) – thus it is the longest cave in the Republic of Mauritius. The cave goes up to 18 m deep in some places being under sea level.

The southern entrance is located at the following coordinates: -19.758157, 63.386581.

Tourists and damage

For decades this has been an important tourist destination. Unfortunately, this has brought much damage to the cave – in earlier years people went here with torchlights leaving ugly marks on the ceiling. Many fine stalactites and stalagmites have been chopped and brought away.

In less touristy parts of the cave though there are impressive speleothems including up to 2 m long soda straws, also the tourist part of the cave still has rather many stalactites and stalagmites.

Today the tourists should buy permits to visit the cave and are entering it at certain times of the day. They walk some 600 – 700 m long-distance through it. There are plans to install electricity in the cave.

Some tell legends that in this cave or another cave nearby pirates have hidden a treasure – but this was done in a long-lost passage which is closer to the ocean and now is not available anymore.

References

1. J.P.Hume, L.Steel, A.A.Andre, A.Meunier. In the footsteps of the bone collectors: nineteenth-century cave exploration on Rodrigues Island, Indian Ocean. Historical Biology, 2014.
2. William R. Halliday. Caving in the Republic of Mauritius. Cascade Caver, January 1996, Volume 35 No.1.