Hannah Woodburn holds an eastern hellbender salamander near its cage where it will stay for 48 to 60 hours after relocation, on the Watauga River, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, near Boone, N.C.(AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
A crew member works on the removal of the Shulls Mill Dam on the Watauga River, near Boone, N.C., Monday, July 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
Crews work on the the removal of the Shulls Mill Dam on the Watauga River, near Boone, N.C. on Monday, July 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
Hannah Woodburn carries a juvenile Hellbender Salamander for release in the the Watauga River, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, near Boone, N.C.(AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Crews work on the the removal of the Shulls Mill Dam on the Watauga River, near Boone, N.C. on Monday, July 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
A diver searches near the Shulls Mill Dam for eastern hellbender salamanders in the Watauga River, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, near Boone, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Erin McCombs, left, and Andy Hill, tour the release area for eastern hellbender salamanders, Monday, July 1, 2024, on the Watauga River, near Boone, N.C. This area is about 12 miles from the dam where they were collected the previous week. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
A juvenile eastern hellbender salamander is measured after being collected for relocation, on the Watauga River, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, near Boone, N.C.(AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
The release area for the eastern hellbender salamanders is visible, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, on the Watauga River, near Boone, N.C. This area is about 12 miles from the dam where they were collected. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
The Shulls Mill Dam is visible on the Watauga River, near Boone, N.C., Wednesday, June 26, 2024. Hellbender Salamander's are being captured and moved to a safer place on the river. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
A juvenile eastern hellbender salamander is visible moments before it's relocated in the Watauga River, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, near Boone, N.C. Divers found the salamander at the Shulls Mill Dam and are relocating the animal as the dam will be demolished. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)