Protecting Salamanders from a Deadly Fungus
Salamanders are under threat from a deadly fungus called Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, commonly known as Bsal, which has already caused severe population crashes in Europe. To help protect salamanders in North America, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service took emergency action to restrict the importation of certain salamander species.
The Lacey Act Listing
In January 2016, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published an interim rule listing 201 salamander species as injurious wildlife under the Lacey Act. This rule prohibits the importation of these species into the United States and restricts their interstate transport. The purpose is to prevent the introduction of Bsal to North America through the commercial pet trade.
Why North America Needs Protection
North America is the most salamander diverse continent on Earth, home to roughly half of all known salamander species. Many exist nowhere else in the world. Laboratory studies have shown that numerous North American species are highly susceptible to Bsal infection, with mortality rates as high as 100 percent in some species.
The International Response
Other countries have also taken steps to address the Bsal threat. The European Union has implemented emergency measures requiring health certificates for salamanders being traded across borders. Canada enacted its own import restrictions. The international scientific community has called for a global ban on the trade of wild caught salamanders until better screening and treatment protocols are developed.