Crawford County Man Found Guilty of Possessing Endangered Species

FINDLAY, OH – A Crawford County man was found guilty on one count of possessing an endangered species and a second count of deterring an officer, both first degree misdemeanors.  David D. Duncan, 53, of Crestline changed his plea of Not Guilty to No Contest on both charges during a pre-trial hearing on Tuesday August 31, 2010 in the Crawford County Municipal Court.  Duncan received total fines of $1,500 plus court costs and was placed on probation for a period of three years.

According to Wildlife Investigator Jeff Collingwood, on August 10, 2009, Duncan alleged that he had discovered a hellbender salamander that someone dropped off in a bucket on his front porch.  Duncan took the hellbender to the Crawford Park District.  “This was no ordinary salamander” Collingwood said, “this one was nearly two feet long and weighed over 2 ½ pounds.  Hellbenders are only found in very clean water river systems.”  Gregg Lipps, a herpetologists and expert on hellbenders, believed this female to be about 50 years’ old and carrying eggs.

During the investigation, Collingwood discovered that the hellbender had been PIT (passive integrated transponder) tagged, a device implanted within the animal’s body, by a biologist from the New York Department of Environmental Protection (NYDEC).  “Duncan denied being in New York or even knowing anyone from New York.”  Collingwood said.  “However, after searching records, I found that he had been in New York the three days prior to him coming into possession of the hellbender.  It isn’t clear whether Duncan was there and captured the hellbender on his own or if he had assistance, but he ended up with it and the evidence is overwhelming.  I think he wanted to provide the Park District with a unique animal to put on display but it back-fired on him.  Duncan knew what kind of animal he had and that he shouldn’t have had it.” 

 The animal is currently being cared for by the Columbus Zoo and authorities hope to return the hellbender to New York for release in the next few weeks. 

Anyone having information about wildlife violations is encouraged to call the Ohio Division of Wildlife’s TIP hotline at 1-800-POACHER.

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For More Information Contact:
Jeff Collingwood, Wildlife Investigator
419.429.8354