Axolotl -grown Axolotl flourished in the restored wetlands in Mexico City

One of the most outraged amphibians in the world – the strange, constantly smiling Mexican axolot – flourished after being released in artificial wetlands, scientists have discovered.

In a study that provides hope for the long -term future of a being, which was pushed on the verge of extinction, scientists released 18 captive axolls into restored and artificial wetlands near Mexico City.

The researchers installed animals with radio followers and found that they “survive and have successfully invaded both sites” – even gaining weight.

Leading researcher D -R Alejandra Ramos of the Bajja Autonomous University of California said it was an “incredible result”.

The findings have been published In the magazine Plos One And they suggest, the researchers say that axoltol can be returned to their native habitat.

Xochimilco waters – formed by traditional agricultural practices and are red with spring water from the mountain – used to collect these amphibians.

But with the increase of Mexico City, urbanization, pollution and other pressure, they pushed the axolotles to the edge of the disappearance, with some estimates suggesting that only 50 remained in the wild.

“If we lose this kind, we lose some of our Mexican identity,” said Co-leader, Dr. Luis Zamber, of the National University in Mexico.

It is not an exaggeration to be called the Axoltol icon. The Aztec legend states that the creature is a god in Salamander – the Aztec god of fire and lightning, Xolotl, concealed as Salamander.

“If we can restore that [wetland] Habitat and restoration of the population of Axolotl in a city with more than 20 million people, “D -r Zamber continued,” I feel we have hope for humanity. “

In order to lay the foundations for the release of animals, researchers worked with local farmers and a team of volunteers to create “shelters” in wet areas for the axolotles. They installed natural filtering systems to clean the water,

Scientists have released their captive animals in two places – one in Xochimilco and one in a dumped career, which has become what they called the “artificial wet area” over decades.

Each animal is marked with a radio tracking device.

“The incredible news is that they have all survived,” Dr. Ramos told BBC News. “And not only that, but also the ones we regained, had gained weight – so they hunt.”

Monitoring also revealed an intriguing idea of ​​axolotl behavior. “We have found that some spend the greater part of their time with another individual -as they make these little friendships,” explained Dr. Ramos.

Ironically, these charismatic salamanders are found in world laboratories and pet aquariums in their hundreds of thousands. The species is biologically captivating – it has the remarkable ability to revive any part of its body that is damaged or lost. So studies are conducted to understand whether this ability can be used medically.

But in the murky wetlands of Mexico City, there is still a lot of work to clean and restore the habitat and give the wild Axolotl a chance to recover.

“Many animals are losing their habitat all over the world,” said Dr. Ramos. “And restoration projects are not easy, but they can be done – they just need many people.

“You don’t have to be a scientist to get involved – everyone in the world can help.”