They're flat, they're slimy, and they hide under rocks on river bottoms. At up to 2 feet in length, the Ozark hellbender is one of the world's largest salamanders. And they're disappearing. There are fewer than 600 left in the rivers of southern Missouri and northern Arkansas. Scientists have been making a huge effort to get them to breed in captivity. Now, as St. Louis Public Radio's Veronique LaCapra reports, it looks like 2012 could be the year of new hope for hellbenders.
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Broadcast History
All Things Considered (NPR), January 5, 2012
Transcript
HOST IN: They're flat, they're slimy, and they hide under rocks on river bottoms. At up to 2 feet in length, the Ozark hellbender is one of the world's largest salamanders.
And they're disappearing. There are fewer than 600 left in the rivers of southern Missouri and northern Arkansas.
Scientists have been making a huge effort to get them to breed in captivity. Now, as St. Louis Public Radio's Veronique LaCapra [vair-uh-NEEK la-CAP-rah] reports, it looks like 2012 could be the year of new hope for hellbenders.
CUT 1 MUSIC: “I’m in the mood for love” (Music by Jimmy McHugh, lyrics by Dorothy Fields. Sung by Dean Martin). [IN FULL]
“I’m in the mood for love...” [Music FADE UNDER during piano transition]
LACAPRA: It’s kind of a honeymoon resort for giant salamanders.
CUT 1 MUSIC: “I’m in the mood for love” [UP FULL]
“...simply because you’re near me...” [Music slowly FADE OUT as CUT...
Read the full transcript
Intro and Outro
INTRO:They're flat, they're slimy, and they hide under rocks on river bottoms. At up to 2 feet in length, the Ozark hellbender is one of the world's largest salamanders. And they're disappearing. There are fewer than 600 left in the rivers of southern Missouri and northern Arkansas. Scientists have been making a huge effort to get them to breed in captivity. Now, as St. Louis Public Radio's Veronique LaCapra [vair-uh-NEEK la-CAP-rah] reports, it looks like 2012 could be the year of new hope for hellbenders.
OUTRO:Musical Works
| Title | Artist | Album | Label | Year | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I'm in the Mood for Love | Dean Martin | That's Amore. | EMI Video | 2001 | 00:40 |
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