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Axolotls Distribution and Population
Axolotls Distribution and Population
Axolotls are only native to one region in Mexico. They are only located in Lake Xochimilco. their population is constantly declining due to urbanization and pollutants in the water. According to the ICNU Red List there are only about 50-1000 wild axolotls left in the wild as of October 23rd, 2019. However, there are a lot more axolotls readily available in the exotic pet trade, but these axolotls have never seen wild water and were captive bread in fish tanks.
Why are the Axolotl Populations in Decline?
Why are the Axolotl Populations in Decline?
The main reason these adorable creatures are declining in nature are actually because of humans. because of urbanization, pollution and poor wastewater management, it is causing the axolotls genetic diversity to decline. this makes it harder for the axolotls to reproduce and adapt because of the rate axolotls are dying off.
What Can be Done to Help These Animals?
What Can be Done to Help These Animals?
There are many things that can be done to help the axolotl population. some of those things include habitat restoration, invasive species management, and species re-introduction. The first thing that needs to be done otherwise the axolotl population will never have the chance is to fix the pollution and wastewater entering Lake Xochimilco. Once that issue gets resolved then we would need to focus on removing the invasive species (tilapia) from the waterways because they prey on the axolotl eggs and weaker axolotls. After that we would need to replenish their habitat recourses such as heavily planted areas to help them have places to reproduce and help the population. and the last thing we would have to do is re-introduce the axolotls to the lake because their numbers are so low, we may have to introduce more axolotls to help reduce the extinction rate.
There is a organization in Mexico City, Mexico that is trying to help axolotl populations. this organization is called Ajoloton. and they just reintroduces 2000 axolotls in February of 2022. now they may be doing things out of order but they still are trying to clean the environment and reintroduce axolotls to help slow down their extinction.
Conservation Efforts for Axolotls
Conservation Efforts for Axolotls
Research and Monitoring
Research and Monitoring
Action recovery plans.
Systematic monitoring schemes.
In-place Species Management
In-place Species Management
Subject to ex-situ conservation.
In Place Land/Water Protection
In Place Land/Water Protection
Recourse and habitat protection.
Conservation sites.
In-Place Education
In-Place Education
Subject to education and awareness programs.
Included in international legislation.
Subject to international management/trade controls.
Invasive/problematic species control.
Habitat restoration.
Species re-introduction.
Why The Axolotl Should be a Priority for the UECG Program
Why The Axolotl Should be a Priority for the UECG Program
The Axolotl should be a priority for the UECG program because of how endangered they are. according to the ICUN there are only 50-1000 left in the wild and we know the exact lake they are in. These animals a very unique being salamander that did not morph out of larva stage and evolved to breed and keep this strain. but because of human urbanization and pollution and carelessness of introducing new game fish. all these poor choice on our behave is causing the axolotls are paying the price. these creatures are also a major piece in science since they are 1000 more time resistant to cancer then humans. if scientists are able to replicate that we may be able to find a cure for one of the world's most deadly illness, however if they go extinct, we may lose the wild gene pool and only get the gene pool of domestic axolotls.
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