The eastern hellbender, a salamander native to our rivers and streams, has long been considered an at-risk species. Following the devastating impact of Tropical Storm Helene, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has proposed listing the hellbender as an endangered species.
The proposal would classify the eastern hellbender as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), potentially unlocking increased funding for conservation and restoration programs. The move is a significant victory for those dedicated to the species’ recovery, as the USFWS has stated that hellbenders are “in danger of extinction” across North America.
Over the past decade, the eastern hellbender population has experienced a sharp decline. There were once 626 documented populations of hellbenders in North America. However, a recent assessment found that 41% of these populations have disappeared, leaving just 371 active groups in the U.S., of which 218 are classified as “in decline.”
In Western North Carolina, conservationists have long pushed for endangered species protections for the eastern hellbender. Their calls grew more urgent after Helene devastated mountain rivers and streams. Regional scientists and wildlife researchers reported significant losses among hellbender populations, with many individuals washed ashore, some dead and others barely alive.
If the rule is enacted, it would also prohibit the “take” of hellbenders, which includes harming, capturing, harassing, or killing the animals. The states eligible for federal recovery funds include Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Photo courtesy NC Wildlife
