A NOVEL TRANSPORT SYSTEM FOR HELLBENDER SALAMANDERS (CRYPTOBRANCHUS ALLEGANIENSIS)

Populations of Eastern Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) have declined considerably throughout their range. In Indiana, they are listed as state endangered and critically imperiled. Current conservation efforts include headstart programs, reintroductions, and captive breeding to bolster remaining populations. However, transporting Hellbenders into captivity, between facilities, or back to the wild can be potentially stressful or harmful to individuals. Hellbenders require cool, well-oxygenated water, and because of their conservation status, need to be handled with care. Insulated hauling trucks are effective at moving high densities of fish; however, they are inappropriate for Hellbender transport because they are designed to quickly drain fish through the bottom of the tank and are expensive. Herein we present a novel and affordable transport system to safely move Hellbenders, particularly over long distances. This method has been effective in transporting Hellbenders of multiple age classes over 1,513 km (940 mi) with 100% survival.