A
Anonymous
Guest
Giant salamander numbers have fallen sharply
Illegal hunting is bringing the Chinese giant salamander, the world's largest amphibian, to the brink of extinction.
Numbers of the salamander, which can grow to 50kg (110lb), have fallen sharply in recent decades.
Ways to stem the decline of amphibians are being discussed at a meeting in Washington DC, which will end with the launch of a global action plan.
Some experts think the giant salamander can become a flagship conservation species like the tiger and elephant.
With a maximum length of a metre and a half (5ft), the giant salamanders of China and Japan are truly huge compared with other amphibians.
They are easy to catch, hiding in rock crevasses during the day, and people know where to find them
Michael Lau, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden
But their very size makes them easy and lucrative prey for hunters, who can sell the flesh for around US$100 per kg (£30 per lb).
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4259596.stm
Illegal hunting is bringing the Chinese giant salamander, the world's largest amphibian, to the brink of extinction.
Numbers of the salamander, which can grow to 50kg (110lb), have fallen sharply in recent decades.
Ways to stem the decline of amphibians are being discussed at a meeting in Washington DC, which will end with the launch of a global action plan.
Some experts think the giant salamander can become a flagship conservation species like the tiger and elephant.
With a maximum length of a metre and a half (5ft), the giant salamanders of China and Japan are truly huge compared with other amphibians.
They are easy to catch, hiding in rock crevasses during the day, and people know where to find them
Michael Lau, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden
But their very size makes them easy and lucrative prey for hunters, who can sell the flesh for around US$100 per kg (£30 per lb).
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4259596.stm
I'm not sure salamander meat is large over here 
