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  • About Us
    • Meet
    • Board of Directors
    • Interns 2023
    • Advisory Council
  • Donate
  • Blog
  • Podcasts
  • Report a concern
  • Hellbenders
  • OTTERS program
  • Songs
  • HERYN PROGRAM
    • Blue HERYN
  • BirdNET
  • Partners
  • Nature Book Club
  • Gift Shop
  • Watershed Opportunities
  • Floating Classroom
  • EELS Program
  • Encina
  • Survey
  • Vernal Pools
  • Sentinels
  • Kayaking/Fishing Resources
  • Video Lessons
  • Photos 2020
  • Other Events
    • Sunrise Sunset Susquehanna
    • Bridges Over Troubled Water
    • Dumplings At Dusk
  • Issues
    • Signed Support Letters
  • Engage
    • News Alerts
    • Songs 2021
    • Song Project
    • Photo/poetry contest
  • 2018 PA River of the Year
  • 10 Fun Facts
  • For Children
  • Prison Project
  • Contact Us
  • Crossword Puzzle
  • Songs 2022
  • Songs 2023
  • Montour Surface Sampling
  • Class ideas

Eastern hellbender

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The Eastern hellbender is one of three "giant" salamander species found world-wide and the largest salamander in the United States, growing upwards of 24-30 inches in length and 4-5 pounds. 

Unfortunately, hellbenders number continue to dwindle throughout the Susquehanna River basin, as an estimated 95 percent of its habitat has been lost due to sedimentation and other pollutants and issues.

On September 5, 2023, the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association was among five environmental groups involved in a federal court ruling that will require the US Fish and Wildlife Service to reconsiders its lack of Endangered Species Act protections for this species.  We will update this page with the progress of that process as well as add other hellbender-related stories and other elements as they are available.

Stories and updates ...

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Column: Hellbender ruling a needed step toward better protections, but there is still much to be done

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Through a variety of ways, locals give hellbender a national voice and a better chance of needed protections

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Sept. 6, 2023 -- Federal judge voids 2019 decision on lack of hellbender protections, species' status to be reassessed

Check out Riverkeeper John Zaktansky's  column on the hellbender and the need for the state to reconsider protections for this creature in light of a new issue on the Loyalsock Creek. (Written Sept. 20, 2022)

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Sept. 3, 2021 -- Pilot program helps restore Eastern hellbenders to river basin as more resources sought to expand efforts

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Sept. 3, 2021 -- Heralding the hellbender: Severing stereotypes offers a step toward savoring salamander's significance

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July 1, 2021 -- Lawsuit filed to overturn denial of endangered species protection to Eastern hellbenders

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April 9, 2021 -- Podcast: Hellbender expert Peter Petokas on dwindling populations, amphibian's importance and what can be done

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March 4, 2021 -- Notice of intent filed vs. US Fish and Wildlife Service to spark protection for Eastern hellbender

HELLBENDER SONGS

Listen to "Gentle Giant of the Susquehanna" a locally written song about hellbenders by Bill Dann and Jack Servello:
Listen to "Hellbender" by The Dave Miller Band, another locally written song about the hellbender's plight:
Considering purchasing one or both of the hellbender-related songs, or the CD on which they are included, and a portion of the sales will go to Dr. Peter Petokas' hellbender research:

Songs of the Hellbender

$1.00 - $15.00

Two of the submissions from our Songs of the Susquehanna Volume 3 album were specifically about the hellbender. Track 3: Gentle Giant of the Susquehanna by Bill Dann and Jack Servello and Track 6: Hellbender by The Dave Miller Band. Using this special window, you can purchase either track's mp3 (emailed directly to you) for $1 each with 50 cents of each sale going to the artist and 50 cents going to local hellbender research by Dr. Peter Petokas. For each full Songs of the Susquehanna Volume 3 CD sold in this queue ($15 each, mailed to you or picked up at the office), $5 will go to each of the hellbender song artists and $5 will go to Dr. Petokas' hellbender research. If you have questions, or to purchase via check or cash, contact Riverkeeper John Zaktansky directly at midsusriver@gmail.com or 570-768-6300.

Shop

HELLbender VIDEOS

In an effort to raise awareness, check out the following elements, starting with neat local underwater footage of a hellbender from Michael Kinney:
Here is a video from Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper John Zaktansky on a juvenile hellbender release in late August in the upper reaches of the Susquehanna River basin:

HELLBENDERS ON TV

Check out the special episode of WNEP TV's Pennsylvania Outdoor Life that featured Dr. Peter Petokas and a local search for eastern hellbenders.

HELLBENDER PODCAST

Check out the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper podcast episode with Dr. Peter Petokas on the hellbender, published in April of 2021:

Awareness via art ...

At a recent river festival in Sunbury, PA, young people were encouraged to create posters that help raise awareness of the hellbender's plight. We encourage others to join the effort -- have your child create a hand-drawn poster and we will continue to share their work on this page. You can email scanned copies of their poster to midsusriver@gmail.com
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Submitted by Kendall, age 8
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Submitted by Willow, age 7
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Submitted by Addison, age 10
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Submitted by Kelsey, age 6
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Submitted by Athena, age 5

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