Snot otter, lasagna lizard or mud dog – no matter what you call the eastern hellbender one fact remains, the Missouri population of these large amphibians needs our help. Working with our partners, we at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have drafted a plan to save the Missouri Distinct Population Segment of the eastern hellbender protected under the Endangered Species Act. The public is invited to comment on the draft plan (PDF) through March 12, 2024.
The Missouri Distinct Population Segment of the eastern hellbender consists of three populations in the northern portion of the Ozark Highlands. The Niangua River population consists of individuals in the Niangua River; the Gasconade River population consists of individuals from the Gasconade River, Osage Fork of the Gasconade River, and Big Piney River; and the Meramec River population consists of individuals from the Meramec River, Huzzah Creek, Courtois Creek, and Big River.
Eastern hellbender populations in Missouri were listed as endangered in 2021 under the Endangered Species Act, which means they are in danger of extinction. Threats to eastern hellbenders include degraded water quality, habitat loss, disease, illegal collection, and predation. Population declines have necessitated the use of captive propagation efforts to ensure the long-term survival of the species until threats are better understood and abated.
The first objective of the draft recovery plan for the eastern hellbender DPS is to ensure habitat is available to support viable populations. Adult eastern hellbenders spend most of their life under large, flat rocks that shelter them; whereas larval and juvenile hellbenders generally hide beneath smaller rocks and under small stones in gravel beds. The second objective is to establish and maintain viable populations within the Niangua River, Gasconade River, and Meramec River watersheds, including occupied tributaries. The number of easter hellbenders in these rivers has dropped more than 70% since the 1970s.
Recovery planning is one step in a process to address threats to endangered and threatened species. Plans provide a road map for private, Tribal, federal and state cooperation in conserving listed species and their ecosystems. While a recovery plan provides guidance on how best to help listed species achieve recovery, it is not a regulatory document. You are invited to provide input as the plan is developed and once a recovery plan is finalized, recovery partners will outline specific actions to carry out the plan.
Learn more about the draft recovery plan and how to comment. (PDF)
