The salamander is an endangered amphibian species protected by law in Israel. The main threats to this species are habitat loss due to construction and the draining of water bodies, water pollution, invasive fish species, being run over, habitat fragmentation, and trade in adult individuals. The global population of salamanders is also in decline. Its distribution range is in the Middle East; Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, and Israel, with the Carmel being the southernmost distribution area in the world for this species. The salamander’s habitats include springs, winter ponds, rock pools, and streams in the north of the country, mostly in locations about 200 meters above sea level.
The salamander begins its life as a tadpole in water, feeding on mosquito larvae and small invertebrates. After about 3 months, it can walk on land in a moist environment and is mainly active on rainy nights between October and March, feeding on slugs, snails, and earthworms. During the summer, the salamanders disappear from the surface, and little is known about their hiding places. On the back of the salamander are two glands that secrete a poison called Samandarin, and the bright colors on its body serve as a warning of its toxicity to other animals.
Since 2017, Yarok Balev NGO has been leading a project aimed at protecting this unique species through research, public awareness, and the formulation of public policy for the conservation of the salamander in the nature of Haifa. The project is led by nature researcher Olga Ribak, and many other bodies are partners, including: the Carmelists group, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI), the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA), the University of Haifa, as well as the general public who assist in monitoring surveys and reports from field observations.