Press Release, January 31, 2017
San Antonio, Texas— The Center for Biological Diversity today announced
the addition of another $5,000 to the reward for information leading to a
conviction or fine in the disappearance of hundreds of endangered salamanders
from a San Marcos breeding facility, bringing the total reward offered to
$20,000. The Andrew Sabin Family Foundation, which funds amphibian conservation
among other things, donated the additional $5,000 for the reward.
In November, 253 Texas blind
salamanders and 110 San Marcos salamanders went missing from the San Marcos
Aquatic Resources Center over the Thanksgiving weekend. With no surveillance
video available, investigators have little information on what happened to the
salamanders. Last week, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a $10,000
reward and the Center for Biological Diversity added $5,000. Today’s addition
of $5,000 from the Andrew Sabin Family Foundation brings the total reward to
$20,000.
“Losing hundreds of these amazing
salamanders is a terrible blow to their conservation,” said Collette Adkins, an
attorney and biologist with the Center. “The San Marcos facility served as a
‘Noah’s Ark’ that could preserve the fragile salamanders if they went extinct
in the wild. The tragic loss of these animals threatens their very existence.”
These fully aquatic animals
require clean, well-oxygenated water and are threatened by activities that
disturb their surface springs, pollute their water or reduce its flow to their
underground aquatic habitats. The San Marcos salamander received protection of
the Endangered Species Act in 1980. It is found only in San Marcos Springs and
nearby aquatic habitats in Hays County. The Texas blind salamander is
restricted to the Edwards Aquifer in Hays County. This pale and eyeless
amphibian has been protected since 1967. Both salamander species have
beautiful, lacy external gills.
“Someone out there knows who did
this, and I really hope they’ll step forward and help secure justice for these
animals,” Adkins said.
A conviction for stealing the
endangered salamanders could result in fines up to $100,000 and up to one year
in prison. Anyone with information should contact the Fish and Wildlife
Service’s San Antonio Office of Law Enforcement at (210) 681-8419 or Operation
Game Thief at 1-800-792-GAME (4263).
Contact: Collette Adkins, (651)
955-3821, cadkins@biologicaldiversity.org
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