Speaking out for Salamanders at Arden Hallowe’en event

Nov 01, 2012

Photo: Salamander Conservationist Matt Ellerbeck at the Kennebec hall

Champion of creatures great yet small, Matt Ellerbeck will use any opportunity he can to spread awareness of the fate of salamanders on our planet. On October 27, Ellerbeck, who works as a salamander conservationist, spread the word about the fate of these creatures at the Arden Hallowe’en party at the Kennebec hall. Armed with numerous glass containers housing living examples of a number of colorful and exotic species, Ellerbeck spoke about these creatures, which he says are “in rapid decline with close to half of their species listed as Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and with another 62 additional species listed as near threatened.”

Ellerbeck took time to explain how these secretive creatures, which are all too often disrespected by the general public, survive and how their dwindling numbers are tipping them towards rapid extirpation. Ellerbeck says their fate tends to go unnoticed because few conservation groups are dedicated to their recovery. “Unfortunately virtually no attention is given to salamanders by animal welfare advocates, which allows many forms of cruelty and exploitation to continue,” he said.

Ellerbeck is aiming to make a difference in the fate of salamanders through the recovery and protection of the species and their habitats “for their inherent intrinsic value”. He demonstrated that conviction in the careful and energetic ways he presented his salamanders to the group of children at the Kennebec hall who eagerly craned their necks to get an up close up look at these fascinating creatures. Children, not surprisingly, seem to have no trouble recognizing the unique and inherent beauty that these creatures possess.

Matt is aiming to bring an end to the “cruelty and abuse that these creatures often face” and he strongly objects to all practices, trades and industries that inflict pain and/or suffering on them or that exploit them. Matt believes that the public can do their part in helping to protect these creatures through land stewardship and habitat management. He also does his part by keeping records of observational data of these creatures in the wild. He regularly sends the data to various organizations, which use his records to increase their understanding of salamander populations, habitats and ranges.

On his website Ellerbeck quotes renowned conservationist and wildlife author, Stephen Jay Gould, who wrote, "We cannot win this battle to save species and environments without forging an emotional bond between ourselves and nature as well - for we will not fight to save what we do not love." In making his informed and fascinating presentations to the public at large, Matt Ellerbeck is definitely doing his part in spreading that love.

For more information visit www.savethesalamanders.com