News

Salamander Debate May Be Just the Beginning

September 10, 2012 5:00 am by: Mose Buchele

The Austin blind salamander and three other Central Texas species are the objects of contetion. Photo courtesy David HillisThe Austin blind salamander and three other Central Texas species are the objects of contetion. Photo courtesy David Hillis

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

A U.S. Fish and Wildlife proposal to list four Central Texas salamanders as endangered species has provoked a fierce debate about development and how humans affect the natural world. But as KUT’s Mose Buchele reports for StateImpact Texas, this battle may just be a preview of things to come over the next few years in Texas.

In Central Texas, we no longer have bison, pronghorn antelope, red wolves or mountain lions. So I’m here supporting the listing of four finger-sized salamanders, none of which weighs more than a quarter. Why? Because that’s what we have left.

Podcast: Download (6.1MB)

Share|

No comments yet.

Add your response

Comments are moderated. They are posted at the discretion of KUT if they stick to the topic and contribute to the conversation. They will not be published if they contain or link to abusive material, personal attacks, profanity or spam.

You must be logged in to post a comment.