Helen the Hellbender returns to New York

How Helen the Hellbender ended up in Ohio is still unclear, but one thing is certain, she was illegally collected from the wild. Now, she's back where she started, thanks to a pit tag identifying her. From WGRZ in Buffalo, N.Y.:

She was taken illegally from a New York stream and then resurfaced at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The poacher turned Helen in himself, but was uncooperative as to where he got her. The Ohio DNR determined her origin because Helen had been tagged by the New York Department Of Environmental Conservation (DEC). .... Penny Danielewicz of the Buffalo Zoo said, "If you have a decreasing amount of amphibians in a stream or wetland, you should really pay attention to that because it's our water, too. What's affecting them ultimately may affect us as well." Though the hellbender may not be the most beautiful creature around, it's unique nature and importance to the environment make it one worth fighting for.

A short video after the bump shows some of the conservation efforts. Folks, please if you are collecting in the wild, be responsible and do not touch our endangered wildlife.