Faced with a disease that could wipe out native salamander species scientists are calling for a ban on the import of the amphibians from outside the United States in an effort to prevent the disease from establishing a foothold here. Already threatened by the chytrid fungus, also called Bd, this new fungus appears to only target salamander species and is called Bsal Though Bd has made it here, so far, Bsal has not yet been found in the Americas.

"The Fish and Wildlife Service has been very interested in chytrid and amphibian diseases for many years," "But there's a problem. Under the Lacey Act, they don't have the legal authority to do much." - Dr. Karen Lips University of Maryland

According to scientists salamanders in the southeastern U.S., the western U.S., and the highlands of central Mexico are most at risk.

To read more, click here for the article at NPR. Gallery photo by emajor