33°Sep 08
2010
An Ohio man was sentencing for owning a two-foot-long salamander that is on the endangered species list.
David D. Duncan, 53, of Crestline, was convicted of one count of possessing an endangered species and a second count of deterring an officer, both first-degree misdemeanors, during a pre-trial hearing Aug. 31 in the Crawford County Municipal Court. He had changed his plea of not guilty to no contest.
Duncan received fines totaling $1,500 plus court costs and was placed on three years' probation.
On Aug. 10, 2009, Duncan alleged that he had discovered a hellbender salamander that someone dropped off in a bucket on his front porch, according to Wildlife Investigator Jeff Collingwood. Duncan took the hellbender to the Crawford Park District.
"This was no ordinary salamander" Collingwood said. "This one was nearly two feet long and weighed over 2 1/2 pounds. Hellbenders are only found in very clean water river systems."
Gregg Lipps, a herpetologists and expert on hellbenders, believed this female to be about 50 years old and carrying eggs.
During the investigation, Collingwood discovered that the hellbender had been PIT (passive integrated transponder) tagged, a device implanted within the animal's body, by a biologist from the New York Department of Environmental Protection (NYDEC).
"Duncan denied being in New York or even knowing anyone from New York," Collingwood said. "However, after searching records, I found that he had been in New York the three days prior to him coming into possession of the hellbender. It isn't clear whether Duncan was there and captured the hellbender on his own or if he had assistance, but he ended up with it and the evidence is overwhelming. I think he wanted to provide the Park District with a unique animal to put on display but it backfired on him. Duncan knew what kind of animal he had and that he shouldn't have had it."
The hellbender, native to North America, is the third-largest species of salamander in the world, being surpassed only by the Japanese giant salamander and the Japanese giant salamander's close relative, the Chinese giant salamander.
The animal is currently being cared for by the Columbus Zoo and authorities hope to return the hellbender to New York for release in the next few weeks.
Anyone having information about wildlife violations is encouraged to call the Ohio Division of Wildlife's TIP hotline at 1-800-POACHER.
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08:38 AM
iamrevolutionary says
I don't know anyone involved in this, but, I don't believe that the man had any ill intentions.... What I think happened, is, he was in N.Y., came across someone that had this creature in their possession, he brought it back here to a place he KNEW....(where in N.Y. would you take something like this??) Now, he doesn't want to get this person in trouble for having this creature(or, he might have stolen it to protect it)...And that is why all the deception....JMHO but it makes some sense to me...If he is involved in animal welfare, he knows better than to try to keep one of these in his possession for personal enjoyment...08:09 PM
letmepicyou says
Well. I must say I'll sleep VERY well tonight knowing full well that the salamander situation the the United States is WELL in hand. Whew. I mean, seriously. Last night I had NIGHTMARES just wondering if the salamanders in the U.S. are O.K. or not. I mean, who CAN sleep, knowing these little creatures are in danger of winding up somewhere other than their actual point of origin? Cause god knows, we banned zoos in this country YEARS ago because we can't be taking endangered animals from point A to point B, now can we? PHEW! I guess now I won't need to go get counseling and therapy after all for my salamander psychological disorder. Has anyone ever noticed how well the internet communicates sarcasm?