Ind. removes 1, adds 2 to endangered species list

INDIANAPOLIS — Two rare amphibians could soon be added to the protective umbrella of Indiana's endangered species list.

The Indiana Natural Resources Commission voted last week to add the plains leopard frog and the mole salamander to the dozens of plants and animals afforded special protections because they're at risk of extinction in Indiana.

Commission members were told that the mole salamander is known to exist only in a nature preserve in Posey County. The most recent Indiana sightings of plains leopard frogs were in Orange County in 2004.

The panel also voted to remove the four-toed salamander from the list because populations have been found in at least 20 Indiana counties.

State Department of Natural Resources spokesman Phil Bloom says the proposals still must clear a host of other state hurdles.