AMAZING NEWS 🎉: After 10+ years of advocacy by the Center and our allies, USFWS today proposed to protect eastern hellbenders as endangered under the Endangered Species Act! Hellbenders face tremendous threats from activities that degrade water quality, and Hurricane Helene devastated populations in the healthiest part of their range. This proposed listing comes in the nick of time as #hellbenders have declined by more than 80% in recent years and face ever-increasing threats. And, protecting these giant salamanders will also safeguard thousands of other species that rely on clean rivers. 📷: by davidherasimtschuk / freshwatersillustrated #hellbender #salamander #amphibian #wildlifeconservation #environmentalconservation