Ancient salamander Inches Closer to Federal Protection
The eastern hellbender, a remarkable salamander that dates back to the time of the dinosaurs, took a crucial step towards federal protection this week. the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service formally proposed listing the amphibian under the Endangered Species Act, a move that garnered praise from conservationists who have long fought to safeguard the creature’s dwindling population. Andy Hill, Watauga Riverkeeper for MountainTrue, remembers his first encounter wiht a hellbender vividly. As a teenager fishing in North Carolina’s Watauga River,he was captivated by the sight of the two-foot-long salamander,camouflaged amongst the rocks. “You never lose your sense of wonder and otherworldliness when you see one,” he reflects. The eastern hellbender, once abundant in the Appalachian mountains, has faced increasing threats in recent decades. Dams, industrial pollution, and even extreme weather events like Hurricane Helene have decimated their populations. Just 12% of eastern hellbenders are successfully reproducing. This alarming statistic underscores the urgency of the situation, prompting conservation groups like the Center for Biological Diversity to push for federal protection. “I just think it’s a moral failure that we’re pushing them to the brink of extinction,” laments Tierra Curry,a senior scientist at the Center. Known for its slimy brown skin and flat, broad head, the hellbender might not be conventionally attractive, but it holds a critical role in the ecosystem. As the largest amphibian in North America, it relies on clean, free-flowing water to survive, breathing dissolved oxygen through its skin. Warming waters,pollution,and stagnant conditions pose a notable threat to its well-being. Efforts to improve water quality and restore hellbender habitats have included the removal of dams on the Watauga River over the last five years. While these measures hold promise, the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Helene highlighted the fragility of these gains. Thousands of hellbenders were displaced or perished in the storm’s aftermath. Erin McCombs, Southeast conservation director for American Rivers, emphasizes the interconnectedness of healthy rivers and the creatures that inhabit them. “When species like the hellbender, which are reliant on free-flowing and clean water, are declining, alarms need to be going off, becuase we’ll feel the impacts next.” the proposed federal protection for the eastern hellbender is a significant step towards ensuring the survival of this ancient and interesting creature. Conservationists are hopeful that this action will lead to stronger measures to protect their habitat and ultimately reverse the species’ decline. Endangered Species Act.Hill says he hopes the new federal protection will usher in “bold strategies” to help the species recover.
“It’s going to take a massive effort,” he said.
___
The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy.The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of AP’s environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment
