Għar Dalam

Għar Dalam, which is another Natura 2000 site, is a cave well-known for the fossil remains which had been found within this site. The cave was formed by seeping water causing the dissolution of stones.

Apart from its archaeological value, one can note the beautiful scenery of the surrounding landscape which has been characterised by the dissolving impact of water on the stones.

This cave is also an important ecological area as it provides a habitat to a rare species of woodlouse, found in very small populations, about 100 metres from the cave’s entrance. No artificial lighting is available at this point so access to the public is not possible. This also ensures that this species is protected and undisturbed. This woodlouse, Armadillidium ghardalamensis, derives its name from the cave itself and it is endemic to our islands. Due to its rarity and restricted distribution it has been given a priority status for conservation by the European Commission.

Għar Dalam also contains the bone remains of animals that were stranded and subsequently became extinct in Malta at the end of the Ice age. The dwarf, hippopotamus, deer and bear bone deposits found here are of a different age. The hippopotamuses became extinct about 180,000 years ago, while other species such as the deer became extinct much later, about 18,000 years ago.

This Natura 2000 site will be subject to the preparation of a management plan and/or legislation in the near future, as part of an EU funded project that Mepa is undertaking for the management planning all the terrestrial Natura 2000 sites of the Maltese islands.