Burying Beetles in Wayne National Forest

Wayne National Forest is taking part in a five year project to help pull the American Burying Beetle out of extinction.

Public Affairs Officer, Gary Chancey, says Wayne National Forest and several partners released 300 pairs of the beetles on Tuesday.

He says the breeding sites are located in Athens, Perry, and Morgan counties.

A group will return to the sites sometime next week to check on the breeding, and Chancey says another round of 300 beetles will be released at that time.

The beetles came from Ohio State University, The Wilds, and the St. Louis Zoo.

Chancey says this is the second year the American Burying Beetles have been released in Wayne National Forest.

The species went on the Federal Endangered Species list back in 1989.