The Environmental Assessment Body of Fuerteventura has approved the reopening of the Cueva del Llano in Villaverde, with conditions aimed at protecting its unique wildlife and heritage. The cave, which has been closed since 2012 due to stability concerns, can only reopen after implementing restoration works that adhere to strict guidelines.
One major stipulation is to shorten the publicly accessible section of the cave by 100 metres. This reduction intends to lessen visitor impact on the most sensitive areas. The assessment also calls for an evaluation of visitor capacity and group sizes prior to the reopening, with initial estimates suggesting a limit of 15 to 20 people per group.
Additionally, the report rules out installing permanent frontal lighting, allowing only the use of portable lights during tours, with the potential for low-intensity lighting at the cave’s entrance.
Cueva del Llano opened to the public in 2005 but was closed due to safety issues. The current plan involves rehabilitating existing facilities without increasing the cave’s footprint or disturbing untouched land.
The report highlights the need for stringent monitoring of environmental conditions to safeguard the cave’s fragile ecosystem, which is home to the critically endangered spider species Maiorerus randoi, known only from this site.
Ongoing environmental controls will include real-time monitoring of temperature, humidity, and gas levels, with protocols for temporary closure if hazardous thresholds are reached. This project must also prevent damage to important paleontological and archaeological sites within the cave.
Simultaneously, a separate initiative led by the Canary Islands Government and the La Oliva Town Hall aims to address the environmental damage caused by the Origo Mare development project. In 2023, the Canary Islands Government proposed classifying Cueva del Llano as an area of Community Importance and incorporating it into the Natura 2000 network, compensating for losses incurred in the Majanicho area. This classification is expected to lead to specific conservation measures to protect the site further.
