Eastern Hellbender at Risk After Rock Stacking Incident in Smokies
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is urging visitors to think twice before stacking rocks in streams after an incident that left a rare Eastern Hellbender salamander crushed.
Why Rock Stacking Is a Problem
Rock stacking has become a popular activity for hikers and sightseers who want to leave a marker, snap a photo, or simply interact with nature. But for wildlife, especially the hellbender, these stacks, known as cairns, can have devastating consequences.
How Eastern Hellbenders Use Rocks to Survive
These giant salamanders use rocks in streams as protective shelters and nesting sites. Females lay between 100 and 300 eggs beneath these rocks, relying on their stability to keep the eggs safe until they hatch.
When rocks are moved or stacked, nests are disturbed, and entire generations of salamanders can be destroyed in an instant. The recent discovery of a crushed hellbender in Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountain National Park highlights the importance of humans respecting nature.
Recently, an eastern hellbender, the largest salamander in North America, was found crushed beneath rocks that had been moved and stacked by people in the park. Building dams, channels, or rock stacks might seem harmless, but for the wildlife hiding below, it can be deadly. Beneath those stones are fragile ecosystems: nests, shelters, and homes. - The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Growing Threat to Salamanders in the Smokies
The Eastern Hellbender is already considered near-threatened due to habitat loss, pollution, and declining water quality. National Park officials stress that protecting the species means leaving streams and riverbeds untouched.
READ MORE: Hellbenders Are a Fascinating Species
The message is a simple one. Enjoy the beauty of the Smokies without interfering with nature. Take photos, hike the trails, and soak in the views, but leave the rocks where they are.
What Visitors Can Do to Help Protect Wildlife
Visitors are encouraged to learn more about responsible outdoor practices through park resources and to help spread awareness about protecting vulnerable species.
The Gamekeeper's Hut Airbnb -- Smoky Mountains
Gallery Credit: Dave Spencer