ASHEVILLE, N.C.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice today of its intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to decide whether the Hickory Nut Gorge green salamander could warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act.

“These salamanders have survived in this gorge for 12 million years, but without federal protection they could blink out of existence in our lifetime,” said Will Harlan, a senior scientist at the Center. “To keep holding on, they urgently need the Fish and Wildlife Service to act.”

These green-splotched salamanders live only in a 14-mile-long gorge in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Scientists estimate there are only a few hundred of them left on Earth, and populations have declined steeply in the last 20 years.

The Center petitioned to list the Hickory Nut Gorge green salamander under the Endangered Species Act in June 2022. The Service was required to issue an initial decision on the petition within 90 days, which could start the process of granting federal protections to the salamanders. But 19 months later the Service hasn’t issued the finding.

Unlike most salamanders, Hickory Nut Gorge green salamanders spend most of their lives in trees and rock outcrops using their unique markings to stay camouflaged in the foliage.

This ancient salamander exemplifies the beauty and biological richness of the Hickory Nut Gorge, which is 18 miles south of Asheville and facing rapid development pressure. Habitat loss, human exploitation and climate change pose existential threats to this salamander and many other species inhabiting the gorge. The nonprofit NatureServe already classifies the Hickory Nut Gorge green salamander as critically imperiled.

The Center was joined by Defenders of Wildlife in petitioning to protect the salamander under the Endangered Species Act. The Center and Defenders are also working with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and others in the Hickory Nut Gorge to protect salamander populations.

Southern Appalachia is a global biodiversity hotspot for salamanders, with more salamander species than anywhere else in the world. Unfortunately, 60% of salamander species are threatened with extinction, including the Hickory Nut Gorge green salamander.