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The mayors of the boroughs of Mexico City pose with axolotls before releasing them into the canals. Twitter @Alc_Iztapalapa
It aims to create more habitat for critically endangered amphibians
A project to ensure the axolotl’s long-term survival was launched in Mexico City on Wednesday.
Called Ajolotón, a name derived from the Spanish word for axolotl (add), the initiative will promote the reproduction of amphibians in seven districts of Mexico City currently governed by the Morena party: Xochimilco, Iztapalapa, Iztacalco, Tláhuac, Venustiano Carranza, Milpa Alta and Gustavo A. Madero.
A launch event attended by borough mayors took place next to a canal in Xochimilco, where most of the capital’s axolotls live.
Mayor of Xochimilco, José Carlos Acosta, said one of the main ways to promote the conservation of axolotls – an endangered species – is the creation of ajolotariosor axolotl habitats, where amphibians can breed and grow in a clean and safe environment.
On Wednesday, two thousand specimens were released into existing habitats in Xochimilco.
Acosta also spoke about the axolotl conservation efforts carried out by the Institute of Biology of the National Autonomous University (UNAM) in recent years.
He said researchers from UNAM, the Metropolitan Autonomous University, the University of Kent in England and experts from Cuba and Japan have contributed to efforts to protect the species and encourage breeding in 70 ajolotarios in Xochimilco.
“More canals than streets are cleaned daily, …maintenance is more expensive in the [Xochimilco] Lake [area] that… household garbage collection,” Acosta said.
With reports from Tu Red Capital, Reforma and Excelsior
