Waterkeeper Alliance Applauds Historic Proposal to Protect the Eastern Hellbender Salamander
By: Waterkeeper Alliance
Waterkeeper Alliance today celebrates the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) historic proposal to list the Eastern hellbender salamander as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This proposal is a significant step toward protecting North America’s largest amphibian and critical freshwater ecosystems across 17 states, including many key waterways that are vital to communities and wildlife.
The proposal comes after years of tireless advocacy by Waterkeeper Alliance, along with several Waterkeeper groups, to protect the hellbender as well as the rivers and streams it inhabits.
Following a major 2023 court victory—brought by the Center for Biological Diversity, Waterkeeper Alliance, Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper, Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper, and Waterkeepers Chesapeake—the FWS was compelled to revisit its earlier denial of ESA protection for the hellbender, ultimately leading to today’s announcement.
“We have been fighting for this moment for many years, and today, we’re one step closer to ensuring that the Eastern hellbender—along with all of the species that depend on the same clean, flowing rivers—receives the protection it desperately needs,” said Daniel E. Estrin, General Counsel and Legal Director at Waterkeeper Alliance. “This decision is an enormous victory not just for hellbenders, but for the rivers and communities across the Appalachian region and beyond. It’s a testament to the power of grassroots action and legal advocacy.”
The hellbender, an ancient species that has been around for more than 160 million years, is now at grave risk due to a combination of pollution, sedimentation, habitat destruction, and climate change. Its populations have plummeted, and only a small fraction of its historic range remains. The proposed ESA protection would apply to hellbenders from New York to Georgia, filling in gaps in earlier protections and providing comprehensive safeguards across its entire range.
“Today’s proposal is a direct result of our legal advocacy and partnerships with ESA experts at the Center for Biological Diversity and our local Waterkeeper groups who know their rivers best,” added Estrin. “By holding the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service accountable, we’ve made it more likely that hellbenders—and the countless species that depend on the same clean, free-flowing waters—will be protected under the law.”
The hellbender and other freshwater species face an uncertain future as their habitats continue to degrade. The ESA is the most powerful tool available to prevent their extinction and support recovery efforts.
The FWS’s proposal to list the Eastern hellbender as endangered marks a critical turning point, but there is still much work to be done. Waterkeeper Alliance and our partner groups will continue to advocate for final ESA protection for the Eastern hellbender to ensure its long-term survival.