Talk:Rock Dove Cave

Cite error: There are <ref> tags on this page without content in them (see the help page). The local media does not have all the facts regarding this cave. It was not discovered by two boys. It was in fact discovered by construction workers. The opening was thought to have been secured when the boys trespassed, opened a surrounding fence and gained unauthorized access to the cave. A licensed geologist evaluated the cave prior to the boys discovery and after they rummaged through the cave. Unauthorized entrants destroyed speleothems. D33T55 (talk) 16:03, 28 February 2019 (UTC)D33T55[reply]

@D33T55: Can you provide some sources to back that up?- Mr X 🖋 17:34, 28 February 2019 (UTC)[reply]

What kind of sources do you need that would be credible MrX? I am the geologist who first surveyed the cave when it was initially encountered in January of that year. I completed the report sent to TCEQ and have photos of the cave before the kids entered and destroyed speleothems. Due to privacy issues, the company I worked for at the time preferred not to be named in the media even as the evaluating company. Other than a recollection of a detailed timeline with detailed events the only documented "source" would be to view the TCEQ submitted document.D33T55 (talk) 15:23, 1 March 2019 (UTC)D33T55[reply]

@D33T55: Wikipedia requires sources published by reputable organizations (news organizations, journal publishers, book publishers, and so on.) It's possible that the TCEQ document could be used if it is published, but since news sources reported a different account, we would have to retain that information as well. These policies are documented at WP:V, WP:RS, and WP:OR.- Mr X 🖋

While I certainly understand the Wikipedia policies I like to believe a state document signed and sealed by a licensed geoscientist is much more reputable than local news organizations, in this case. I'm not sure TCEQ will officially publish the document but it's all open record for anyone willing to view the report. Is this all worth my time, not really. So why is it an issue for me? Because these kids discovered nothing. They trespassed, broke through a chainlink fence and damaged cave speleothems which were several thousand years old yet they are toted as adventurous kids and they get their name published on Wikipedia because of one-sided reported from the local news. Sad but not worth any more of my time to refute the facts. It is what it is, I was just trying to set the record straight based on chronological facts. Thanks anyway. D33T55 (talk) 15:05, 7 March 2019 (UTC)D33T55[reply]

Have you considered speaking with the editors of the local news organizations to request corrections based on the information that you know about? That would be your best course of action. Once they correct their stories, we would be able to update the article with the corrected information.- Mr X 🖋 23:36, 7 March 2019 (UTC)[reply]

MrX, I finally found an article, from local media, which display the true nature of discovery for this cave. The boys listed in the Wikipedia were trespassing onto a construction site AFTER it was discovered by construction workers and fully evaluated by myself. here is the link to the article: https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/environment/article/Rare-cave-to-be-sealed-4375275.php Is this sufficient enough to change the description of this cave regarding the true nature of its discovery?