Bronx Zoo Exhibits Eastern Hellbender

Since 2009, staff at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo has been working behind the scenes to save the elusive Eastern hellbender which can be seen in a new exhibit in the zoo’s historic Reptile House. The Eastern hellbender is a large species of salamander native to freshwater rivers and streams in Eastern North America which can grow up to two feet long. NYS lists the hellbender as a species of Special Concern as populations are declining due to several factors including chytrid fungus, water pollution and habitat destruction.