By RAFAEL HERNANDEZ | CREW MEMBER
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!
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