eastern hellbender
Coverage of eastern hellbender in the Nexus archive.
- Appalachian researchers want to save this rare giant salamander
Researchers and conservationists are working to save the endangered eastern hellbender salamander in Appalachia as populations decline due to climate change and human activity. A lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity claims federal officials missed a 2025 deadline to propose endangered species protection. Conservation efforts include breeding programs and habitat restoration led by organizations like the Nashville Zoo and Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.
- Nashville Zoo data center could threaten a federally endangered species with ‘limited’ habitat nearby
The proposed DC Blox data center near the Nashville Zoo could threaten the federally endangered Nashville crayfish, whose limited habitat is close to the construction site. Environmental groups warn that development risks, such as erosion, sediment control failures, or water-cooling systems, could harm the crayfish and other vulnerable species like the alligator snapping turtle and eastern hellbender.