For Immediate Release, March 8, 2021
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Missouri Population of Eastern Hellbenders Granted Endangered Species Protection
North America’s Largest Salamanders Remain Critically Threatened In Other States
WASHINGTON The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today designated the Missouri distinct population of the eastern hellbender salamander as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act.
“While we’re happy to see the Missouri population of eastern hellbenders receive protection, the Service should have listed the species throughout its range,” said Brian Segee, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Hellbenders desperately need the protections of the Endangered Species Act not only in Missouri, but everywhere they’re found.