Atualizado: 30 de jun. de 2023
We were thrilled to discover that the newly established Bio-Reserve da Morena contains a sinkhole within its boundaries. However, its nature and dimensions were still unknown. We therefore contacted GPS — Grupo Protecção Sicó, an ENGO with whom we maintain excellent relations, to allow us to descend into the sinkhole and explore it in complete safety.
As speleology experts, GPS members have all the equipment and knowledge needed for this adventure — they simply had to pass it on to the curious members of Milvoz. So, on 17 June we headed to the escarpment of Senhora da Estrela on the Serra do Sicó for a training session that prepared us for the following day. When day D arrived, we met at the Bio-Reserve da Morena and walked together through the Mediterranean woodland to the entrance of the sinkhole at the top of the hill.
One by one, we descended through the narrow entrance shaft. Upon reaching a platform 5 metres deep, we were left speechless to discover the scale of the sinkhole's main gallery, with a direct vertical drop of 30 metres. Descending to the bottom, our headlamps revealed magnificent walls covered in speleothems and a large pile of rocks that had been thrown in by people from the surface over the centuries, potentially to make the land more arable. We also discovered some life in this seemingly inhospitable environment: salamanders, spiders, fungi and signs of bats. However, the bones of rabbits and canids were also found on site.
We are deeply grateful to GPS for accepting our challenge with such willingness and kindness. Thanks to this collaboration, we now know the true extent of the natural heritage within the Bio-Reserve da Morena. We can now say that Milvoz's sphere of influence goes beyond the surface — even subterranean habitats fall within our conservation remit.
