Restoring Indiana's hellbender habitat through conservation efforts

By Andi Anderson

Indiana’s Blue River once served as a thriving habitat for the hellbender, a rare, ancient amphibian that shelters under large rocks in cool waters. However, recent years have seen a sharp decline in their population, primarily due to habitat destruction, pollution, and warming waters.

In response, Purdue University has launched a significant conservation effort to save the species, emphasizing the critical role of hellbenders as indicators of water quality.

Purdue’s Farmers Helping Hellbenders project, funded by the USDA-NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), focuses on improving water quality and restoring habitats in the Blue River-Sinking watershed.

The project uses targeted conservation efforts to benefit both the environment and local farming operations. Financial incentives are offered to farmers within the watershed to adopt water-friendly practices such as cover crops, nutrient management, and riparian buffers, which help reduce sediment and improve water quality for the hellbender.

Since 2017, Purdue has been reintroducing juvenile hellbenders into Indiana’s rivers, with over 500 released to date. Collaborative efforts from zoos and wildlife departments across multiple states contribute to the species' recovery. Partners like the Indianapolis Zoo raise juveniles for release, while Purdue continues its research to ensure their survival.

Through targeted financial assistance and partnerships, the hellbender’s future looks brighter as these conservation efforts benefit not only the species but also improve farming practices and overall water quality in Indiana.

Photo Credit: purdue-university