SUNBURY — The hellbender, which was once abundant in our region, could soon be on an endangered species list.
Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper John Zaktansky, the eastern hellbender, found in Pennsylvania and 14 other states, has seen its population drop from 626 documented groups to 371. Of those groups, only 12% considered a stable population. Habitat loss, poor water quality, and sedimentation are primary threats.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposal to list the species as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Zaktansky said a 60-day public comment period starts today.
He emphasized the critical role of this large, aquatic salamander in maintaining waterway health saying, “Protecting hellbenders means protecting the health of our waterways…These salamanders are vital to our streams and rivers, and their decline signals widespread water quality issues.”
