The humble axolotl, a type of salamander native to Mexico, has taken the world by storm. These captivating creatures, with their child-like features and regenerative abilities, have become a global phenomenon, gracing everything from toys and clothing to social media and popular culture.
However, while the axolotl’s popularity has soared, its wild population is facing a dire situation. In the floating gardens of Lake Xochimilco, one of the last remaining habitats for the species, the numbers have plummeted from 6,000 per square kilometre in 1998 to just 36 in 2014. Drainage, encroaching development, and the introduction of predatory fish have all contributed to the axolotl’s critical endangered status.
Professor Luis Zambrano, an ecologist conducting a census of the wild axolotl population, is deeply concerned about the future of these unique animals. “The local government in Mexico City has acted contrary to [axolotl’s] preservation,” he says, lamenting that the city’s focus is on turning Xochimilco into a tourist attraction rather than protecting the axolotl’s natural habitat.
The axolotl’s enchanting appearance, with its wide-set eyes, human-like hands, and feathery gills, has made it a social media sensation and a must-have character for the “Gen Alpha” demographic. Brands such as Squishmallovs, Lego, and Posturepal have all incorporated the axolotl into their product lines, capitalising on its widespread appeal.
However, the axolotl’s popularity has also led to a surge in pet ownership, with some US states and Canadian provinces banning their ownership due to concerns about accidental breeding. Nicole Rowe, who runs an axolotl rehoming centre in the West Midlands, England, has rescued dozens of the creatures from people who can no longer care for them.
The axolotl’s remarkable regenerative abilities, which allow it to regrow lost limbs and even parts of its brain, have also captured the attention of researchers. Aida Rodrigo Albors, who leads a research group at the Centre for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, is studying the axolotl’s regenerative powers in the hope of applying them to human healing.
Despite the axolotl’s popularity and scientific interest, Zambrano worries that the digital world has created a “parallel” reality where people are more interested in the cartoon or cuddly versions than the real, endangered animals. He believes that, like the Chinese government’s efforts to protect pandas, the Mexican government needs to take decisive action to preserve the axolotl’s natural habitat.
As the World Cup approaches, with the axolotl set to be the official mascot, Zambrano fears that the event will only exacerbate the problem, turning Xochimilco into a tourist attraction and further threatening the survival of these unique creatures. The fight to save the “water monster” of Mexico City is on, and the fate of the axolotl hangs in the balance.