COUNTLESS native animals might have lost their lives in the state's recent bushfires, but one small critter has defied the odds and survived.
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The Mount Kaputar slug has managed to adapt to the conditions, despite fears the fires may have damaged its habitat.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) rangers spotted 60 of the slugs after recent rainfall in the park.
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The bright pink slugs play an important part of the ecosystem and are native to only certain parts of the park.
A NPWS spokesperson said the fires' impact on native wildlife in the park was not yet known but was not as bad as other fire-ravaged parks in the state.
"The Kaputar fire burnt just over 18,000 hectares, including about a third of the park," the spokesperson said.
"The NPWS will be undertaking research to understand the fire's impacts.
"However, the fire burnt less than one third of the national park, and only a small part of the burnt area experienced intense, fast-moving fire.
"Within the lightly burnt areas are many unburnt islands, where species could take refuge."
"Like other species of snails and slugs, the Kaputar giant pink slug feeds on algae and leaves, forming an important part of the food web within the reserve," they said.
"The species forms a unique part of the Mount Kaputar ecosystem and is not found anywhere else in Australia."
NPWS staff have been part of the tireless efforts of fire crews that have been battling the state's bushfire crisis.
"In total this fire season, NPWS has contributed more than 35,000 staff days to fighting the fires," the spokesperson said.
"This includes efforts at Mount Kaputar."
The park is currently closed while clean-up efforts are being carried out.
However, the spokesperson said that, like Bald Rock and Boonoo Boonoo national parks, sections of Mount Kaputar would be open soon.
"There is a concerted effort under way to enable a partial reopening [of the park] in late February," the spokesperson said.
"The work's focus is on reopening key visiting areas.
"Efforts are concentrated on addressing risk associated with burnt trees and making safe any impacted infrastructure."
Prospective visitors are encouraged to monitor the NPWS website and Facebook page for updates on the park's reopening.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
