Conservancy Mourns ‘Marvin’, Beloved Salamander
The Captina Conservancy announced this week, the passing of Marvin, the beloved hellbender who lived at Captina Conservancy for the last four years.
They also posted an obituary for Marvin that follows:
Marvin the hellbender, approximately 45 years old, of Barnesville, Ohio, passed away on June 12, 2025, at the offices of Captina Conservancy. Marvin was born sometime before 1980 in Salt Creek, Chillicothe, Ohio, and was collected in 1985 by herpetologists Ralph and Joan Pfingsten. Ralph and Joanie cared for Marvin under a special permit in their home in the Cleveland area until 2021.
Marvin was an eastern hellbender salamander, an endangered species that lives underwater in clean, fast-moving creeks and streams. Through her 45-year life, one of the longest ever recorded for a salamander, Marvin served as an ambassador for her amazing species. She moved to Barnesville to highlight Captina Creek, home of a thriving population of hellbender salamanders. Marvin loved to snack on cray fish and minnows. Her hobbies included hanging out under rocks and lying on top of underwater bubblers.
Students from Barnesville Middle School, local scout groups, and Olney Friends School all loved to visit Marvin and watch her chomp down on a worm or other special treat. Marvin was also a social media star, with a TikTok account (@marvindoingnothing) that reached thousands of viewers.
Marvin was preceded in death by Ralph Pfingsten in 2021. Ralph was a prolific author, researcher, and educator whose work paved the way for hellbender protection across Ohio. Marvin is survived by Joan Pfingsten; her Captina Conservancy care team; and the Olney Friends students who lovingly checked in on Marvin daily.
Marvin’s stay at Captina Conservancy was made possible by support from Captina Conservancy members and volunteers, the Ohio Hellbender Partnership, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, EQT Foundation, and the Columbus Zoo. Special thanks to Barnesville Woodsfield Veterinary Services for their diligent care of Marvin in her final days.
Marvin will be buried at a special location along Captina Creek, a known nesting spot for eastern hellbenders, during a private ceremony for her close family and friends.
Those who would like to honor Marvin’s legacy, are encouraged to donate in her name to: Captina Conservancy, PO Box 318, Barnesville, Ohio 43713.
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