Coastal Giant Salamanders in the Chilliwack River Valley

Data Rescue Intern: Sasindu Gunawardana

In the summer of 2024, I had the opportunity to work as a data rescue intern with the Living Data Project. During my internship, I worked on a crucial dataset belonging to Dr. John Richardson from UBC, which documents a long-term (1994–2001) mark-recapture study of Coastal Giant Salamanders in 12 small streams in the Chilliwack River Valley, British Columbia.

This dataset is exceptional not only for its longevity and depth but also because it remains the only known long-term dataset using a mark-recapture design for this species anywhere. As the Coastal Giant Salamander is listed as Threatened under Canada’s Species at Risk Act, the information this dataset contains holds significant value for ongoing and future conservation and recovery planning. My role involved developing a comprehensive data management plan to ensure the long-term accessibility and usability of these mark-recapture data, which are now archived in the Borealis repository (https://doi.org/10.5683/SP3/7MH2AM). I gained a deeper appreciation for the challenges and importance of rescuing ecological data, as well as the scientific legacy that such efforts help protect.
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​This project was an incredibly rewarding learning experience. It provided me with hands-on exposure to data management strategies and enabled me to contribute to a broader movement aimed at making ecological data more transparent, reusable, and impactful. I am grateful to the Living Data Project team for their guidance and support.