The Mount Kaputar National Park, home to an array of wildlife, including the unique Mount Kaputar slug, faced devastation after bushfires in 2019 and 2020. The Slug Sleuth app, developed by Gaia Resources, mobilized citizen scientists to track the slug's recovery, showcasing the power of technology and community engagement in conservation efforts.
The sprawling Mount Kaputar National Park encompasses over 500 square kilometers (190 square miles), dominated by its namesake, Mount Kaputar, an extinct volcano. This diverse ecosystem teems with life, from bats and wallabies to a unique inhabitant: the Mount Kaputar slug. This large, neon-pink slug, found exclusively in the park, reaches about 20 centimeters (eight inches) in length.
Tragically, the devastating bushfires of 2019 and 2020 posed a grave threat to the park's fragile ecosystem and its inhabitants. Scientists feared the worst, particularly for the Mount Kaputar slug, which faced an estimated 90% population decline.Around 17 million years ago, a volcanic eruption at Mount Kaputar created a high-altitude environment that isolated invertebrates, plants, and animals, leading to their specialization over millions of years. The Kaputar slugs, the only slugs in this ecozone, play a crucial role in this delicate balance. They survive by feeding on algae and mosses, breaking down plant litter into nutrient-rich soil that supports other plants and animals. Their seemingly insignificant existence is a cornerstone of the extinct volcano's ecosystem.In the wake of the fires, conservationists launched a desperate plea for help. Gaia Resources, an environmental technology consultancy, responded with an innovative solution: the Slug Sleuth app. This app encouraged hikers and wildlife enthusiasts to become citizen scientists, reporting their sightings of the slugs through photographs. The app went viral, attracting over 850 reports and images, revealing the resilience of these fragile creatures. The photographs provided invaluable data, allowing officials to track the population's recovery in real-time, identifying juvenile and adult slugs, and assessing the impact of the bushfires. This citizen science initiative not only highlighted the importance of the Mount Kaputar slug but also demonstrated the power of technology in conservation efforts. Even simple cell phone cameras, wielded by passionate individuals, can contribute significantly to understanding and protecting endangered species
Conservation Citizen Science Mount Kaputar Slug Bushfires Ecosystem
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