About 43,700 animals total have died within eight kilometers of waterways where chemicals spilled
When herpetologists Ralph Pfingsten and Greg Lipps began the second statewide survey for eastern hellbenders in Ohio in 2006, they only came up with two of the giant salamanders. Four years later, they came to the conclusion that there was an 82% decline in hellbender numbers compared to the first survey of the mid-1980s.
As a result, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and partnering zoos began a head-starting program to enhance hellbender numbers in Ohio streams. Since then, 1,800 of the endangered herps have been returned to the wild. But a recent event could affect some of those efforts.
In early February, 38 freight train cars carrying hazardous materials derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, dumping chemicals that may be harmful to people—and wildlife—into some of these streams. “We certainly won’t be releasing any into that area until we have an idea of what impacts have happened,” said Gregory Lipps, the amphibian and reptile conservation coordinator with Ohio State University.
Materials released from the incident include chemicals used in the manufacturing of everyday products. For example, vinyl chloride, which is used to make PVC, a polymer found often found in packaging and pipes, was spilled.
Keeping an eye on wildlife after Ohio train derailment - The Wildlife Society
When herpetologists Ralph Pfingsten and Greg Lipps began the second statewide survey for eastern hellbenders in Ohio in 2006, they only came up with two of the giant salamanders. Four years later, they came to the conclusion that there was an 82% decline in hellbender numbers compared to the first survey of the mid-1980s.
As a result, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and partnering zoos began a head-starting program to enhance hellbender numbers in Ohio streams. Since then, 1,800 of the endangered herps have been returned to the wild. But a recent event could affect some of those efforts.
In early February, 38 freight train cars carrying hazardous materials derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, dumping chemicals that may be harmful to people—and wildlife—into some of these streams. “We certainly won’t be releasing any into that area until we have an idea of what impacts have happened,” said Gregory Lipps, the amphibian and reptile conservation coordinator with Ohio State University.
Materials released from the incident include chemicals used in the manufacturing of everyday products. For example, vinyl chloride, which is used to make PVC, a polymer found often found in packaging and pipes, was spilled.
Keeping an eye on wildlife after Ohio train derailment - The Wildlife Society
