WATER TRAIL: ALONG THE PATHS OF PROTEUS
Jame, Reke in izviri, Rastlinstvo in živalstvo, Naravne znamenitosti
Sitarjeva hiša, Sokolski trg 1, 8350 Dolenjske Toplice
It is a little-known fact that in the past the karst endemites, so called "human fish" (Proteus Anguinus), have been observed in the numerous cold karst springs in Dolenjske Toplice area. This special species of cave animals, which are the only cave vertebrates in Europe, is not only found in the famous Postojna Cave, but in the entire area of Dinaric Karst as far as Montenegro. This has occurred during increased rains, when torrential groundwater brought them to the surface as the underground reservoirs filled up.
The first mention of the find dates back to 1825. Its presence indicates an extremely diverse cave aquatic fauna, because despite the fact that it can survive years without food, it is a very effective predator of smaller cave animals. These (and consequently also the proteus) are an important indicator of the purity of water, which is a prerequisite for their existence. In these underground waters live, among others, the blind crab, the cave shrimp, tiny cave snails and the only true cave worm - the cave tuber. As Andrej Hudoklin from the Institute of Nature Protection of the Republic of Slovenia explains in the monograph Dolenjske Toplice in the reflection of time, the Sušica stream, which flows through the towncenter of Dolenjske Toplice, is defined as a natural value due to the aforementioned hydrological and geomorphological exceptionalities. Due to the presence of proteus and certain species of actual fish as part of the European ecological network Natura 2000.
The Water Trail is thematically related to the springs with the presence of proteus and was created as part of Water - the source of life project. All four selected cold springs, each from one in the project included municipality, were evaluated, recorded and presented in content with the established findings. The desire to connect the area, which unites four municipalities led to the idea of creating a joint tourist product, the so called "water route", aimed primarily at raising awareness of the importance of protecting natural values, especially water and aquatic life, the importance of natural and cultural heritage and the strengthening of local belonging.
You can also find out more about the aquatic fauna in Toplice area through an exciting 4D experience at the Sitar House, which was also created as part of the project. Welcome!
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