Wildlife Diversity Program Quarterly Report for April–June 2026
Two Years Out – Eastern Hellbender Surveys in Hurricane-damaged Habitats by Lori Williams, Western Region Amphibian Biologist
I n the second quarter of 2026, Wildlife Diversity staff continued assessing and monitoring Eastern Hellbender populations post-Hurricane Helene. In one focal stream, a tributary in the Upper French Broad River drainage (Transylvania County), we conducted six snorkel surveys at three known sites to compare pre-Helene results with year one post-Helene (2025) and now, year two post-Helene. Survey results were very comparable to those in 2025, including observations of adult Hell- benders (n = 1 to 2) at all three sites and larval Hellbenders (n = 3 to 4) at two out of three sites. Finding any larvae at all is a good sign for population recovery. How- ever, numbers of adult Hellbenders are still lower than what was found before the hurricane, which is concerning. Similar to 2025, staff noted lingering damage to stream substrate and riverbanks from heavy machinery and debris removal activi- ties, as well as extensive silt and sediment deposits.
A gilled Eastern Hellbender larva in hand, a welcome sign of recent, successful nest. BEN DALTON/NCWRC
Left to right: Eastern Hellbender gilled larva in silt and sediment on stream bottom; substrate conditions worsened after Hurricane Helene and after in-stream debris removal operations; An adult Eastern Hell- bender, likely a male “den master,” under cover on the stream bottom. BEN DALTON/NCWRC BEN DALTON/NCWRC
A larva of Eastern Hellbend- er on the stream bottom af- ter release. Note the small, external gills on the neck, which are absorbed around two years of age.
BEN DALTON/NCWRC
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