'Adopt an axolotl' campaign launches in Mexico to save iconic species

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

‘Adopt an axolotl’ campaign launches in Mexico to save iconic species

BY DANIEL SHAILER
Updated 6:21 PM EST, November 24, 2023

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Ecologists from Mexico’s National Autonomous university on Friday relaunched a fundraising campaign to bolster conservation efforts for axolotls, an iconic, endangered fish-like type of salamander.

The campaign, called “Adoptaxolotl,” asks people for as little as 600 pesos (about $35) to virtually adopt one of the tiny “water monsters.” Virtual adoption comes with live updates on your axolotl’s health. For less, donors can buy one of the creatures a virtual dinner.

In their main habitat the population density of Mexican axolotls (ah-ho-LOH'-tulz) has plummeted 99.5% in under two decades, according to scientists behind the fundraiser.

Last year’s Adoptaxolotl campaign raised just over 450,000 pesos ($26,300) towards an experimental captive breeding program and efforts to restore habitat in the ancient Aztec canals of Xochimilco, a southern borough of Mexico City.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/axolotl-conservation-mexico-money-fundraiser-4f004dd6c1ae9170ec4795860c71b270