O'Bannon Woods State Park receives hellbenders
May 25—O'Bannon Woods State Park has received two new Eastern hellbenders as part of its ongoing exhibit of North America's largest salamander, one of its many live animal exhibits open for viewing. In cooperation with a larger regional program dedicated to the preservation and reintroduction of the species, the park's Hickory Hollow Interpretive Center has an exhibit dedicated to preserving the species and teaching people about it. In Indiana, the hellbender is protected as an endangered species.
The new hellbenders were recently received from Columbian Park Zoo in Lafayette. They are 8 1/2 years old and approximately 13 inches long.
"They are eating and adjusting to their new environment very well," Jarrett Manek, the state park's interpretive naturalist said. "As an indicator species for healthy water, this species is one worth learning more about."
The previous two hellbenders exhibited at O'Bannon Woods were transferred as part of the cooperative regional restoration effort among the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Purdue University, and other zoos across the region who have helped reintroduce hundreds of young hellbenders into the Blue River in southern Indiana as well into other Midwest waterways. Metzger Park Zoo in Evansville and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife each received one of the hellbenders last year as part of their respective breeding programs.
Hickory Hollow Interpretive Center is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. For more information on the hellbenders and upcoming programs, call 812-738-8234 or see interpretiveservices.IN.gov.
O'Bannon Woods State Park (on.IN.gov/obannonwoodssp) is at 7234 Old Forest Road SW, Corydon, 47112.
Body recovered from Clay County Lake
Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating after their divers recovered the body of a Terre Haute man from the water at Chinook Fish & Wildlife area (FWA).
Conservation Officers were dispatched to Chinook FWA at 8:30 p.m. for a person going under the water and not resurfacing. At 9:47 p.m., using sonar, the body of Micah T. Harrison, 19, was recovered in 14 feet of water.
Harrison was pronounced dead on the scene by the Clay County Coroner. The cause of death is pending autopsy results. Family notification has been made.
Conservation officers remind the public swimming on DNR-managed properties is only permitted in designated swimming areas.
Other assisting agencies included the Clay County Sheriff's Department, Posey Fire Department, and Medic 9 Star Ambulance.
'till next time,
Jack
Readers can contact Jack Spaulding by writing to this publication or e-mail Jack at jackspaulding1971@outlook.com.
