Axolotls Are Near Extinct In The Wild, This Is How We Can Bring Them Back
Axolotls are a curious, almost alien-looking amphibian, often either pink or black with stylish frills fanning off the side of their heads. They're beautiful creatures, but they're also very elusive in the wild. In fact, there's only one place on Earth you can find them naturally: Mexico City.
They live in a wetland system of islands and canals that actually pre-date the Aztec civilizations of the past. Axolotls have lived there for centuries, but recent developments might be threatening their native home.
Under Threat
A recent survey has confirmed that axolotls are nearing extinction. Having already been endangered for quite some time, their habitats are constantly under threat due to development, pollution, and invasive fish species that eat axolotls being introduced to the area.
The survey, led by Ecological Restoration Laboratory of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) with support from Conservation International-Mexico, covered 115 monitoring sites across the 6180-acre Xochimilco Protected Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Keeping Track
They used environmental DNA (or eDNA), a method of testing that shows animal genetic material in the water, soil, and air, to track the comings and goings of axolotls across the area.
"Unlike previous surveys, this time we included environmental DNA to better understand where axolotls are surviving and how their habitat is changing," said Luis Zambrano, director of the UNAM lab and lead researcher on the census.
Inside Industry
"Habitat degradation is pushing axolotls to the brink of extinction," he continued.
Though the results of the testing did show a worrisome decline in axolotls, not all hope is lost. There are still things that can be done to help bring their population numbers back up, namely a big push for sustainable farming practices on chinampas, farming islands that exist within the Xochimilco Protected Area.
Bringing Them Down
Axolotls are very sensitive creatures, meaning any changes in water quality, temperature, salinity, and food supply can all impact their survival. The overuse of pesticides in farming and the introduction of carp and tilapia, which both eat axolotls and compete for habitat space, are two of the biggest factors in the stark drop in axolotl population.
That's why scientists are teaming up with the area's local farmers to help reverse the decline.
Full Restoration
"We can't save axolotls without restoring their habitat," said Esther Quintero, a biologist at Conservation International-Mexico. “That means working hand in hand with the people who live and farm in these wetlands every day. Restoring Xochimilco is not just a scientific or ecological challenge — it’s a chance to rethink how we live in cities and make space for nature to thrive alongside us.”
Using a restoration model known as chinampa-refuge, local farmers are learning how to blend ancestral farming techniques that supported the land for centuries alongside more modern practices.
Into The Future
There are already quite a few chinampa-refuges up and running, with many more planned in the near future. This innovation in farming doesn't just help axolotls either, it contributes to the other benefits the wetland already provides like floor control, regulating Mexico City's climate, and buffering against extreme weather.
To help, consider supporting Conservation International. A follow-up survey is being done to gather more accurate numbers regarding the axolotl population, and from there they'll be able to do even more work to keep these precious salamanders around for the long-term.