Axolotl conservation in the Xochimilco wetland

Our axolotls are doing just great! Rainny season has ended, and after that, we are starting to prepare for the matting season. Temperatures are getting colder at the conservation center, so we need to prepare to receive the new offspring.

In preparation for that, in previous months, we started to build new tanks and containers for the axolotls. These containers will complement the main tank, and it will be usefull to separate the individuals according to their needs. Besides, the tanks are planned to have more controll over each individual, since their volume is easier to handle, but large enough for they to be comfortable and in natural environmental conditions. To accomplish this we decided to make a trade off, taking appart some space from our greenhouse to give more space to the axolotls and the activities areas.

 Thus, we are building a shelter to protect the tanks from the harsh conditions that come every year by the end of the winter season. 

We also crerated a bigger space for visitors, so now we can receive bigger groups or do activities that require a lot of movement and action. Remember that we are constantlly proposing new workshops that require open space to interact not only with the axolotls, but also so many components of the wetlands, such as native plants, insects and other species, and don't forget the orchard, where people learn what kind of harvestings are traditionally produced here in Xochimilco.

With all these changes we will be able to foster a bigger and helthier population of axolotls and their nativa companions, specially acuatic plants like the mexican lilywater, which we are also working for its conservation since it's a threatened species. 

It's summertime in Mexico City, although it just started some weeks ago, the warm season came earlier and a long dry period hit this year. Our axolotls had a hard time with no rainfalls and high temperatures from February to June.

After breeding season in winter, we had new axolotls that joined our crew, babies are doing it well since they are been growing under controlled conditions in a friendly and cozy place. However, our adults have been struggling with climate change.

The Mexican axolotl evolved to live in the wetlands of Mexico's central Valleys, where temperatures are template most of the year, and template to cold in winter. But this year has been unusual in this part of the continent. We've been struggling to control the high temperatures in their bigger containers and ponds because they are located outdoors. We have tried to improve this situation by making some adaptations to the tanks. We have also dug into the floor of our conservation center, so we can set new containers on a lower level and create a cooler environment for our axolotls. So far we have managed to keep the temperatures around 22 C. Which is closer to the highest temperature recommended for axolotls.

In other news, we had a significant advance in the rehabilitation of a natural space where one day we will have some populations of axolotls under controlled conditions. This 3-hectare lagoon has been conditioned and rehabilitated, next steps are creating ecological paths and open ponds in the middle of the vegetation that will work as a natural barrier against the exotic animals that are currently undermining the axolotls populations in the wild. These ponds in the middle of the wetland will contain our first populations and will help to evaluate their health condition and other ecological needs. We are also mapping this site with drone technology.

Our next steps are focused in the rehabilitation and maintenance of the natural sanctuary with volunteers, the community and our crew members!