COLUMBIA DAILY TRIBUNE (Missouri) 21 November 04 Rumors of hellbender’s demise greatly exaggerated
Editor, the Tribune: I disagree that it is too late for the hellbender and that studies to help them are impossible. This large aquatic salamander that is resident to Ozark streams is declining, but some populations still appear to be stable. Because their status varies among rivers, we can investigate what is wrong. We cannot state how critical the situation is until this is done.
There is no evidence the hellbender is doomed. Recall notions that we would never fly or reach the moon. Those accomplishments were dreams compared to hellbender’s needs. Studies needed to help the hellbender are not impossible: They are under way! The St. Louis Zoo, University of Missouri–Rolla, Southwest Missouri State University, Mammoth Spring National Fish Hatchery and Arkansas State University are creating the groundwork needed to save this species. Impossible? Nonsense!
Potential causes such as endocrine disruption are not just hellbender problems but also human health risks. The investigations and resulting solutions that arise from human health investigations also will benefit the hellbender, and hellbender studies will be applicable to human needs.In the meantime, some populations of hellbenders might become extirpated, but we have the technology to develop techniques for restoring these populations once harmful pollutants or activities have been mitigated. If we can restock fish across the nation, then we certainly can restore hellbenders.
Whether it is the moon or an Ozark stream, we must recognize that the most shortsighted view is the one that declares it is impossible before the votes are cast.
Malcolm McCallum, Ph.D. , 1 University Place, Shreveport, La.
Rumors of hellbender’s demise greatly exaggerated