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The Carolina Heelsplitter: The Comeback Kid of Carolina Creeks If freshwater mussels held a reunion show, the Carolina Heelsplitter (Lasmigona decorata) would walk in 130 years late, shrug, and say "did I miss anything?" A Rediscovery Story Worthy of a Documentary First described by naturalist Isaac Lea back in 1852 (under the name Unio decoratus, if you're feeling fancy), the Carolina Heelsplitter then proceeded to do the unthinkable: it vanished from the scientific record. Not spotted. Not documented. Presumed by many to have quietly gone extinct sometime in the mid-19th century. Then, in 1987, someone found one. Living. Breathing (well, filter-feeding). Just going about its business in a Carolina creek like nothing had happened. Turns out the Carolina Heelsplitter didn't need us. It just needed us to stop looking in the wrong places. 
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Wildlife Wednesday: The Red Wolf Has Entered the Chat 🐺 Imagine being one of the rarest mammals in North America. You have approximately zero interest in becoming an influencer. You would, however, really appreciate it if humans would stop hitting you with cars. Meet the red wolf, one of North Carolina's most endangered animals and the only wild population of red wolves anywhere in the world. As of July 2026, the wild population in eastern North Carolina included about 22 known, collared adults and subadults, with an estimated 23–24 adults/subadults plus 12–16 pups. There is also an important captive breeding population helping to keep the species' genetic future alive, according to US Fish and Wildlife.  Photo by Allan White |
AuthorConcord Wildlife Alliance |
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