Hellbender in IMAX

[petechute]

Anyone have a hellbender or large mudpuppy (or access to them) that's willing to bring it to central Louisiana for an IMAX film production in July? I realize this is not their natural habitat or distribution, but I need to investigate the option nonetheless. Needless to say, we'd take all precautions to ensure that the hellbender is cared for and protected while on set.

 

[ozarkhellbender]

I would contact the Saint Louis Zoo about hellbenders.

Ron Goellner Center <br> for Hellbender Conservation :: Saint Louis Zoo

 

[petechute]

Tried Saint Louis Zoo. They have quite a few but cannot come to where we are shooting. If anyone here has a hellbender in private captivity and you're in the Southern US, send me a direct message. We'll pay a fair wage for a day of animal wrangling.

 

[ozarkhellbender]

It's illegal to possess a hellbender as part of a private collection. Only accredited zoos and government institutions (both state and federal) are allowed to keep hellbenders.

 

[shotgun]

Thomas,

Can you please give your source for this radical statement?

thanks,

Chuck

 

[SpaceCadetHayde]

Thomas is right but I simply can't find a link other than wikipedia and other hellbender info websites.

I did find this proposal to add Hellbenders to the Endangered Species List and CITES interesting, though.

 

[Greatwtehunter]

Only two states allow the take of hellbenders, West Virginia and South Carolina. If you are in a state within their range and it's not one of the two aforementioned states then it is illegal to possess a hellbender. Pretty much the only way you, or anyone else, are going to get one is to go to WV or SC and catch your own! Keep in mind though that once you leave WV or SC it becomes illegal to possess them in the surrounding states since they are protected in those states.

 

[patrickwv]

Yep they are legal here in WV. I actually caught one fishing before. He ate my worm lol.