(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Biologists with Purdue University and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources are celebrating the discovery of a young Hellbender Salamander in the Blue River in Central Indiana.
“This discovery is significant because over the past three to four decades, only adult Hellbenders have been documented in the Blue River,” the DNR said in a statement.
For some years, Purdue scientists have been releasing the endangered species into the river. Now, they are excited because this is proof they’re breeding.
Hellbenders are between 12 inches and 29 inches long. They’ve declined for decades because of habitat loss and poor water quality.
Hellbenders play an important role in aquatic ecosystems and are indicators of clean water, Purdue Professor of Herpetology Rod Williams says.
Related
Listen to our new podcast Looped In: Chicago
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram