See news release from Missouri Department of Conservation.
Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) confirms first zoo-raised hellbender successfully reproducing in the wild. This is a significant milestone in population recovery efforts of the endangered Ozark hellbender.
This male Ozark hellbender was collected from a natural nest of eggs in the Current River in the fall of 2013 by MDC and National Park Service staff, then transported to the Saint Louis Zoo where the eggs were hatched and reared. The Saint Louis Zoo is proud to be partnered with MDC on saving this species.