The kaputar slug, an unlikely hero, is demonstrating how Australia’s fauna can bounce back from the devastating bushfires that swept through the continent.
In 2019, New South Wales (NSW) experienced a catastrophic event when approximately 5.5 million hectares, or seven percent of its total area, was consumed by the fires during what became known as the Black Summer fire season. The devastation was four times greater than any previous forest fires in the region.
The impact of the fires was profound, resulting in the loss of 26 lives, the destruction of 2,448 homes, and unprecedented damage to communities, wildlife, and bushland.
One of the most affected species was the giant fluorescent pink slug, Triboniophorus sp. nov. “Kaputar,” which resides in Mount Kaputar National Park. Nearly 90 percent of these unique creatures were estimated to have perished in the fires.
These slugs are exclusive to a small area of about 100 square kilometers on an extinct volcano in Mount Kaputar National Park, making the loss potentially catastrophic for their survival.
Thought to have inhabited the area for millions of years following a volcanic eruption 17 million years ago, the slugs feed on lichen, fungi, and microalgae at night and seek shelter in leaf litter during the day.
Recovery and Conservation Efforts
With only 60 survivors counted in 2020, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service launched the Slug Sleuth app to encourage park visitors to report sightings. The app allows users to upload photos and information about the slugs they encounter.
Currently, there have been approximately 850 reported sightings, with some sites yielding up to 200 slugs each. The population in previously burnt areas appears to be rebounding to levels comparable to unburnt areas.
Although the means by which they survived the fires remains unknown, it is speculated that they sought refuge in rock crevasses or underground to escape the heat. The kaputar slug is still classified as an endangered ecological community by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage.
Other species at risk in the area include 11 native land snails, although they lack the visual appeal of the kaputar slug. Additionally, two of these snails are cannibalistic, preying on other snails and slugs by entering their shells and leaving them with no means of escape.
