Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – In a significant move to protect the endangered axolotl, ecologists from Mexico’s National Autonomous University have reinitiated the “Adoptaxolotl” fundraising campaign. This innovative program allows individuals to virtually adopt these unique salamanders for a minimum contribution of 600 pesos (around $35), offering live updates on the adopted axolotl’s health. Additionally, donors can contribute to the virtual feeding of these creatures.
The axolotl, often described as a ‘water monster’, has witnessed a staggering 99.5% drop in its population density in less than 20 years, primarily in their primary habitat within Mexico. The situation is so dire that in places like Xochimilco, a southern borough of Mexico City, the axolotl population has plummeted from an average of 6,000 per square kilometer to a mere 36.
Despite last year’s campaign raising over 450,000 pesos for captive breeding programs and habitat restoration in Xochimilco’s ancient Aztec canals, resources remain insufficient for extensive research. Alejandro Calzada, leading a team of nine researchers, emphasized the urgent need for widespread monitoring of axolotl populations across Mexico, a task currently beyond their capability.
All 18 species of axolotl in Mexico are critically endangered, facing threats from water pollution, a deadly amphibian fungus, and the invasion of non-native species like rainbow trout. This decline is in stark contrast to the axolotl’s growing popularity and cultural significance in Mexico, admired for its unique appearance and remarkable regenerative abilities which offer potential breakthroughs in medical research.
Luis Zambrano González, a scientist from the National Autonomous University, stressed the urgency of the situation in Xochimilco, plagued by pollution and urban encroachment. The absence of updated data since 2014 hampers conservation efforts, making it difficult to gauge the remaining population and prioritize resources effectively.
While past conservation efforts have focused on the Mexican axolotl in Xochimilco, other species inhabit various regions across Mexico, from the Valley of Mexico to the northern Sonora desert. However, expanding urbanization in Mexico City and invasive species in surrounding lakes pose significant threats to these populations.
The gravity of the situation is further exacerbated by the recent 11% cut in government funding for Mexico’s environment department, part of a broader reduction in environmental spending under President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration. As a result, researchers like Calzada increasingly rely on donations and volunteer support to continue their crucial work in axolotl conservation.
The “Adoptaxolotl” campaign not only aims to raise funds but also to increase awareness about the plight of these fascinating creatures, integral to Mexico’s natural heritage and potentially vital to scientific advancements in medicine.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - In a significant move to protect the endangered axolotl, ecologists from Mexico’s National Autonomous University have reinitiated the "Adoptaxolotl" fundraising . . .
