Mexico Museum Aims to Help Save Endangered Axolotl Salamander
2023-02-11
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1A new museum in Mexico aims to educate the public about the critically endangered axolotl salamander.
2The museum recently opened at Chapultepec Zoo in Mexico City.
3The axolotl is native only to Mexico.
4The animal is extremely endangered in the wild because its natural environment is increasingly threatened.
5The salamander has captured wide attention for its ability to heal itself when its body gets harmed.
6For example, the animal can regrow legs and damaged tissue.
7It can even repair problems affecting the heart and brain.
8Scientists have also documented how the salamander can breathe with lungs and gills.
9It can also take in oxygen through its skin.
10This can cause problems if the animal comes in contact with polluted water.
11"They are one of the few animals that can regenerate their skin, muscles, bones, blood vessels, nerves, heart, brain," said Fernando Gual, a conservation official at the zoo.
12Speaking about the museum, Gual said he sees it as a valuable tool to inform citizens about the unusual creature.
13"A hugely important part of this space is environmental education," he said.
14In Aztec tradition, a rebel god named Xolotl turned himself into an axolotl to hide and avoid being killed by his other gods.
15But the god was still discovered, captured and killed.
16Axolotl salamanders were also commonly eaten by Aztec kings.
17The axolotl that is native to Mexico City's southern Xochimilco area is especially well-known.
18But Gual noted that 16 other kinds of axolotls also call Mexico home.
19In the past, axolotls did very well in Xochimilco's muddy canals.
20The canals are the only remaining part of a once large waterway system dating back to Aztec times.
21But studies have shown the spread of cities, polluted water and non-native fish that eat the salamanders have led to their near-total collapse.
22Still, Xochimilco still holds nearly 11 percent of Mexico's biodiversity, Gual said.
23The term biodiversity describes the number and kinds of plants and animals that exist in a particular area.
24With Mexico's 370 different kinds of amphibians, the country ranks number 5 in biodiversity worldwide.
25As the museum opened to its first visitors, the axolotl's popularity with the public was very clear.
26"The truth is I'm very, very, very, very excited to be able to see how they eat, how they live, just how they are," said one visitor named Fernando.
27The man, who did not want to give his last name, showed off a small axolotl tattoo he had on his arm.
28"I'm marked for life," he said.
29I'm Bryan Lynn.
1A new museum in Mexico aims to educate the public about the critically endangered axolotl salamander. The museum recently opened at Chapultepec Zoo in Mexico City. 2The axolotl is native only to Mexico. The animal is extremely endangered in the wild because its natural environment is increasingly threatened. 3The salamander has captured wide attention for its ability to heal itself when its body gets harmed. For example, the animal can regrow legs and damaged tissue. It can even repair problems affecting the heart and brain. 4Scientists have also documented how the salamander can breathe with lungs and gills. It can also take in oxygen through its skin. This can cause problems if the animal comes in contact with polluted water. 5"They are one of the few animals that can regenerate their skin, muscles, bones, blood vessels, nerves, heart, brain," said Fernando Gual, a conservation official at the zoo. 6Speaking about the museum, Gual said he sees it as a valuable tool to inform citizens about the unusual creature. "A hugely important part of this space is environmental education," he said. 7In Aztec tradition, a rebel god named Xolotl turned himself into an axolotl to hide and avoid being killed by his other gods. But the god was still discovered, captured and killed. Axolotl salamanders were also commonly eaten by Aztec kings. 8The axolotl that is native to Mexico City's southern Xochimilco area is especially well-known. But Gual noted that 16 other kinds of axolotls also call Mexico home. 9In the past, axolotls did very well in Xochimilco's muddy canals. The canals are the only remaining part of a once large waterway system dating back to Aztec times. But studies have shown the spread of cities, polluted water and non-native fish that eat the salamanders have led to their near-total collapse. 10Still, Xochimilco still holds nearly 11 percent of Mexico's biodiversity, Gual said. The term biodiversity describes the number and kinds of plants and animals that exist in a particular area. With Mexico's 370 different kinds of amphibians, the country ranks number 5 in biodiversity worldwide. 11As the museum opened to its first visitors, the axolotl's popularity with the public was very clear. 12"The truth is I'm very, very, very, very excited to be able to see how they eat, how they live, just how they are," said one visitor named Fernando. 13The man, who did not want to give his last name, showed off a small axolotl tattoo he had on his arm. "I'm marked for life," he said. 14I'm Bryan Lynn. 15Reuters reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. 16__________________________________________________________________ 17Words in This Story 18museum - n. a building that keeps and shows objects of historical, scientific or artistic interest 19regenerate - v. to grow again 20conservation - n. an organized effort that aims to protect animals, plants and natural resources 21canal - n. a long, thin stretch of water that is artificially made to be used by boats for transportation 22tattoo - n. a permanent image, pattern or word on the skin that is created by using needles to put colors under the skin. 23______________________________________________________________________ 24What do you think of this story? We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 25Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.