Outside Bend Posted October 14, 2011 Posted October 14, 2011 The fungus is showing up at the STL zoo breeding project, very few floaters there... They do have hundreds of critters from all around the world, though. No real surprise an amphibian fungus would show up in an amphibian breeding facility. <{{{><
Trout Commander Posted October 14, 2011 Posted October 14, 2011 The fungus is showing up at the STL zoo breeding project, very few floaters there... You'd be surprised how many UMSL shirts I see go down the river.... I have spent most of my money on fly fishing and beer. The rest I just wasted. The latest Trout Commander blog post: Niangua River Six Pack
Fly_Guy Posted October 15, 2011 Posted October 15, 2011 If anyone is interested in seeing one, there was one at Missouri State University in Temple Hall (the natural and applied sciences building), 2nd floor. It has a large aquarium to itself (or at least it did last spring - I haven't been back since). Word was that it was on loan to us from Wonders of Wildlife, and I heard talk that that biology department was probably going to end up keeping it and taking care of it. It can do some damage on crawdads when they feed it. Amphibians are always one of the first casualties of a polluted environment - their skin easily absorbs harmful substances. It is heart-breaking to think that the hellbender may someday be gone...
Wayne SW/MO Posted October 15, 2011 Posted October 15, 2011 There was also one at the Springfield Conservation center. As to floaters, it isn't floaters that can harm the river it's the excess. It's no difference than a patch of grass. If a few everyday cross over it every day it will look none the less for wear, but send 500 and the grass disappears. Today's release is tomorrows gift to another fisherman.
Brian Wise Posted October 18, 2011 Posted October 18, 2011 Like Justin said, we see them now and then on the NFOW. I hadn't seen one in a few years (and have only seen 2 in my life) but I was guiding Saturday......like 4 days after they hit the endangered species list and saw one on the river, ironic timing. Got some photos with the underwater camera, but didn't have my underwater video camera unfortunately. My Youtube Channel
Justin Spencer Posted October 18, 2011 Posted October 18, 2011 Glad you saw one Brian, that's super cool. Because hellbenders typically live under big rocks that are too big for most people to bother I don't think foot traffic in the river really has an effect on the population. I've watched where the herpetologists typically search for them, and it is not where many people wade (although there are exceptions). If you were to step on a rock with one under it, these rocks are big and stable so I doubt you would crush one. Most likely their decline is due to some pollution or environmental stress and with so much junk out there it is hard to pinpoint. I would guess the fungus or sickness is a result of a stressed immune system resulting from this environmental stress. I know they find many with missing toes, and they don't think it is mechanical so it could be they are rotting off due to this fungus. "The problem with a politician’s quote on Facebook is you don’t know whether or not they really said it." –Abraham Lincoln Tales of an Ozark Campground Proprietor Dead Drift Fly Shop
awhuber Posted October 18, 2011 Posted October 18, 2011 Glad you saw one Brian, that's super cool. Because hellbenders typically live under big rocks that are too big for most people to bother I don't think foot traffic in the river really has an effect on the population. I've watched where the herpetologists typically search for them, and it is not where many people wade (although there are exceptions). If you were to step on a rock with one under it, these rocks are big and stable so I doubt you would crush one. Most likely their decline is due to some pollution or environmental stress and with so much junk out there it is hard to pinpoint. I would guess the fungus or sickness is a result of a stressed immune system resulting from this environmental stress. I know they find many with missing toes, and they don't think it is mechanical so it could be they are rotting off due to this fungus. Gavin mentioned estrogen as a suspected cause of the stress. Soy is a major ingredient of trout food. How have the management of the trout hatcheries changed in the last 20- 30 years changed? They put alot of different things in the runs to keep the trout healthy.
Justin Spencer Posted October 18, 2011 Posted October 18, 2011 Gavin mentioned estrogen as a suspected cause of the stress. Soy is a major ingredient of trout food. How have the management of the trout hatcheries changed in the last 20- 30 years changed? They put alot of different things in the runs to keep the trout healthy. Wouldn't affect the hellbenders on the North Fork and they have declined on this river as well. I'm sure any point source pollution such as a hatchery is a bad thing, but so is non-point source from runoff is also bad. "The problem with a politician’s quote on Facebook is you don’t know whether or not they really said it." –Abraham Lincoln Tales of an Ozark Campground Proprietor Dead Drift Fly Shop
Gavin Posted October 18, 2011 Posted October 18, 2011 Googled Hellbenders & Estrogen and I got a ton of hits...This was the most informative.. USFS Link on Helllbenders Read the water quality section, and youll find that some of our rivers arent as pristine as we think they are.
Justin Spencer Posted October 18, 2011 Posted October 18, 2011 Read the water quality section, and youll find that some of our rivers arent as pristine as we think they are. People think the springs are sparkling and clean, I always tell them they are crazy to drink that water, I think the river water is probably cleaner than the spring water although giardia might be a concern. "The problem with a politician’s quote on Facebook is you don’t know whether or not they really said it." –Abraham Lincoln Tales of an Ozark Campground Proprietor Dead Drift Fly Shop
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