Ozark Hellbender Now An Endangered Species

[Aaron J Scott]

USFWS today added the Ozark Hellbender to the Endangered Species list.

The Ozark hellbender, which grows to lengths up to 2 feet, inhabits the White River system in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas. Ozark hellbender populations have declined an estimated 75 percent since the 1980s, with only about 590 individuals remaining in the wild. It is believed numbers have dropped because of degraded water quality, habitat loss resulting from impoundments, ore and gravel mining, sedimentation, and collection for the pet trade.

Read the full USFWS press release here.

[tanvat]

Interesting. Perhaps that will provide some extra leverage to get the ONSR on the ball to, at the very least, enforce some of the basic, existing restrictions against ATV use in and around the rivers, 3,000 horses crapping in the river, and RVs parked on gravel bars.

[Mitch f]

I actually caught one on a crankbait 10 years ago on the Gasconade near Jerome, it was about 18" long. I still dont know if it went for the crankbait or I snagged it.

[Chief Grey Bear]

I knew it was coming. I am afraid to say, I think we are about to loose another iconic being that is unique to the Ozarks.

And tanvat, you may also add that since the 80's, there has been huge rual development. Everybody wants to live in the country but, still work in town. Think septic. And you can't have pretty grass without fertilizer. Lots of fertilizer.

[Gavin]

Cant name the source.....but their may be a link with pharmacuetical residue. Unprocessed drugs in pee.......Lots of estrogen in BC pills....and they give lots of estrogen to cows & chickens too.

[jdmidwest]

I thought they were listed a long time ago.

[Bird Watcher]

that's sad. I've only seen one in my life. My cousin caught it on worms while we were fishing below the falls on Shoal Creek near Joplin 20 years ago. We took it home for the afternoon and played with it then took it back to the creek later. Probably the only one I'll ever see.

[Quillback]

The "Collection for the pet trade" thing is disturbing. If there aren't hefty fines in place for doing that, there needs to be. Of course enforcement is the problematic part.

[Justin Spencer]

Jeff Briggler (state herpetologist) comes down here several times a year and has captured and done studies on them on the NFoW river for several years. They are working on a captive breeding program at the St. Louis Zoo as well. Last year when they were here we ran up and took the kids out of school so they could observe as they took sperm samples and did some other work with the ones they captured. Took a few pics as well.

I think they are learning quite a bit about egg fertilization and rearing practices so maybe they can eventually stock them like they do fish. Won't solve the problems harming the critters, but might prop up the population until man dies off and things return to normal.

[Ham]

I'd love to see one in the wild, but I spend too much time in smallie water and not enough time in hellie water.