ALBANY, N.Y., Nov. 24 (UPI) -- The eastern hellbender -- a subspecies of the giant salamander (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) endemic to eastern North America -- may soon be listed as endangered in the state of New York. Last week, a group of scientists and environmentalists filed a petition with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation calling for greater protection of the amphibian.
In 1983, New York conservation officials designated the eastern hellbender as a "special concern species of New York state." The species -- one of the world's largest salamanders -- is already considered endangered in Maryland, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa and Indiana. It is listed as threatened in Alabama, and populations are thought to be quickly decreasing in Kentucky. In other words, the hellbender is on the ropes throughout the entirety of its habitat range.