Cave of the owls, Show cave in Leoncio Prado Province, Peru
The Cave of the Owls is a limestone cave with multiple chambers in Leoncio Prado Province. The interior displays stalactites and stalagmites formed over thousands of years, along with several passages connecting different levels.
The cave has been explored since 1972 by international expeditions that mapped around 400 meters of the system. Substantial sections of it remain unmapped and may hold further discoveries.
The name comes from the birds that nest here, their calls echoing through the chambers. Local people have woven this site into their stories about the natural world around them.
You can reach the cave by mototaxi from Tingo Maria, a short ride through the local landscape. Guided tours are available on site and help visitors understand the formations and residents better.
The cave is home to a colony of around 3000 oilbirds that navigate through darkness using echolocation. These birds are unique worldwide as the only nocturnal fruit-eating birds.
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