One of the world's most endangered amphibians - the primitive and fish-like Aklotel - successfully adapted to the new environment after being released into artificial wetlands in Mexico, scientists said.

In a study that provides hope for the survival of the Mexican ambystoma, which has been pushed toward extinction by contaminated and human activity, scientists recently released 18 captured axons to two artificial wetlands near Mexico City.

The researchers equipped the smiling amphibians with trackers and found that they were feeding at both locations. Alejandra Ramos, principal investigator from the Autonomous University of California, Baja, told the BBC that it was a "stunning result".

The findings are published in the journal PLOS One and suggest that local habitats of Axolotl can be successfully restored.

What is Axolotl?

The legendary axolotl is not always an amphibian. Before it became Mexico's most popular Salamande, it was believed to be the embodiment of the Aztec god of fire and lightning.

Although there are no official estimates about the current population, the species - endemic to central Mexico - is listed as "critically endangered" by the list of threatening species for international nature reserves of international nature reserves.

They breathe through the ill and the skin, which allows them to adapt to the aquatic environment. They can also regenerate parts of the heart, spinal cord, and brain.

Although albinism varieties can be reproduced, Salaman's skin is usually dark. They can keep stock in their natural habitat for hours, buried in the dirt to save energy and wait for prey.

Among the main strongholds of Lake Xochimilco, located in the south of Mexico City, the Axolotl number has dropped by 99.5% in less than two decades. In 1998, researchers estimated that Xochimilco Lake was 6,000 kilometers per square kilometer. By 2014, this number had dropped to 36.

What are the risks of Axolotl?

Mexico is a biodiversity hotspot for amphibians and reptiles because of its unique and diverse habitats ranging from tropical rainforests and deserts to cloud forests and temperate woodlands.

Xochimilco's water was used in traditional agriculture and was rinsed with spring water from the mountains, once moistened with big, smiling axolotls.

But the spreading pollution from Mexico City’s expanding city has damaged the water quality of the city’s canals that flow into the lakes. Additionally, rainbow trout escaped from nearby farms was displaced in lakes around the capital and ate food.

The researchers also found that an increasing number of Axolotls died from chytrid fungus, a skin-absorbing disease that has led to a catastrophic reduction in amphibian populations from Europe to Australia in the rest of the world. The fungus has also been found in Mexico, although this is not a major problem.

Climate change is another factor that threatens axons, as even smaller changes in temperature and rainfall can damage ecosystems and erode biodiversity.

In 2013, scientists expressed concern that they might disappear completely by 2025.

Axolotl is not the only species facing an uncertain future in Mexico. The pine forest frogs, Clarion Night Snake and the Mexican Crocodile Lizard are some other species that are also seriously endangered.

How is the protection of Axolotls done?

To lay the foundation for the re-wild project, the researchers carefully monitored the ecology of Axolotls to establish their ideal living conditions.

They then work with local farmers and a group of volunteers to create wetland "sanctuaries" or artificial wetlands near Xochimilco by installing natural filtration systems to clean water.

The scientists then released amphibians into two types of wetland environments: restored natural wetlands and artificial wetlands specially used for conservation purposes.

These environments differ in their ecological structure, water chemistry and temperature, which are variables that are key determinants of amphibian physiology and behavior.

Axolotls are marked with radio tracking devices to preserve the labels of amphibians. One of the key findings of the study is the ability of Axolotls to effectively navigate and live in artificial and restored wetland ecosystems.

Although biologists and officials have led efforts to save species and their habitats to avoid extinction, parallel, unexpected preservation has emerged in recent years as the organism benefits from unexpected revival of interest.

Axolotl has attracted international attention after the Minecraft computer game added the creature in 2021. That same year, the Mexican Bank also decided to print images of animals on a 50-Peso bill.

Axolotls can now be found on Mexican murals, clothes and children's toys. Some bakeries use armpit cakes and cookies to make the feeling.

"If we lose this species, we will lose a part of our Mexican identity," Luis Zambrano, a co-researcher at the National University of Mexico, told the BBC.

Can other amphibians be saved?

Climate change, habitat loss and disease outbreaks have caused losses to amphibians around the world. Half of amphibians are on the decline and one-third are threatened by extinction.

The team responsible for Axolotl's research said public funding is also key to preventing losses from other species.

However, during his six-year term, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador served from 2018 to 2024, reducing funding from the Environmental and Natural Resources Secretariat by 35%.

Although scientists involved in the project hope to restore Axolotl's population, they also highlighted the need for government, business and individual participation.

“Many animals are losing habitat around the world,” Ramos said. “Restoration projects are not easy, but they can be done. They only need a lot of people.”