The BBC site wasn't working for me either, found this one which has incredible pictures:
https://www.cultureunplugged.com/documentary/watch-online/pl...
Scientists are definitely a unique breed.
Speaking as someone who has done a decent amount of caving, I'd be much more worried about the CO2 and other gasses in the air (and I'm sure those scientists are as well). It's really rare for caves to have dangerous bad air. But sounds like this one could be an exception.
I think like cyanide you lose your sense of smell as the concentration approaches lethal levels. That leads people to assume concentrations are falling instead of increasing.
Totally harmless to humans and a real creature. Harry Potter's fans may remember it from the third film.