{"page":"\u003clink rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https://lessonplanet.com/assets/packs/css/resources-c03aa079.css\" /\u003e\n\u003clink rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https://lessonplanet.com/assets/packs/css/lp_boclips_stylesheets-517835be.css\" media=\"all\" /\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-title='Axolotl salamanders spotted in lake calming fears they may have disappeared' data-url='/boclips/videos/5c54c163d8eafeecae151ce7' data-video-url='/boclips/videos/5c54c163d8eafeecae151ce7' id='bo_player_modal'\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='boclips-resource-page modal-dialog panel-container'\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='react-notifications-root'\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-header'\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-type'\u003e\n\u003ci aria-hidden='true' class='fai fa-regular fa-circle-play'\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\nVideo\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch1 class='rp-title' id='video-title'\u003e\nAxolotl salamanders spotted in lake calming fears they may have disappeared\n\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-actions'\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='mr-1'\u003e\n\u003ca class=\"btn btn-success\" data-posthog-event=\"Signup: LP Signup Activity\" data-posthog-location=\"body_link_boclips\" data-remote=\"true\" href=\"/subscription/new\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGet Free Access\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e for 10 Days\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e!\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-body'\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-info'\u003e\n\u003cdiv aria-label='Hide resource details' class='rp-hide-info' role='button' tabindex='0'\u003e\u0026times;\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ci aria-label='Expand resource details' class='rp-expand-info fai fa-solid fa-up-right-and-down-left-from-center' role='button' tabindex='0'\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\n\u003ci aria-label='Compress resource details' class='rp-compress-info fai fa-solid fa-down-left-and-up-right-to-center' role='button' tabindex='0'\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-rating'\u003e\n\u003cspan class='resource-pool'\u003e\n\u003cspan class='pool-label'\u003ePublisher:\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class='pool-name'\u003e\n\u003cspan class='text'\u003e\u003ca data-publisher-id=\"30356011\" href=\"/search?publisher_ids%5B%5D=30356011\"\u003eCurated Video\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-description'\u003e\n\u003cspan class='short-description'\u003eMexico's salamander-like axolotls have been spotted in the waters of the Xochimilco lake, calming scientists' fears that they may have disappeared from the wild. The creature, with its slimy tail, plumage-like gills and mouth that curls...\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class='full-description hide'\u003eMexico's salamander-like axolotls have been spotted in the waters of the Xochimilco lake, calming scientists' fears that they may have disappeared from the wild. \u003cbr/\u003eThe creature, with its slimy tail, plumage-like gills and mouth that curls into an odd smile can grow up to a foot (30 centimetres) long.\u003cbr/\u003eResearchers said in recent weeks they have seen, but not caught, two of the slippery little amphibians during a second effort to find them.\u003cbr/\u003eA weeks-long effort last year by researchers in small boats trying to catch axolotls in Xochimilco lake turned up no axolotls, raising concerns that they might only now survive in captivity.\u003cbr/\u003eBut biologist Armando Tovar Garza of Mexico's National Autonomous University said members of the team carrying out the search had seen two axolotls, during the first three weeks of a second survey effort expected to conclude in April.\u003cbr/\u003e\"We have worked in almost six (lake) channels where we haven't had caught any axolotls, but we have had two sightings. That's important, because it tells us we still have a chance,\" Garza said. \u003cbr/\u003eThe axolotl is known as the \"water monster\" and the \"Mexican walking fish.\" \u003cbr/\u003eThey are considered important in scientific research, because of the their ability to 'regenerate' or re-grow severed limbs.\u003cbr/\u003eIt's only natural habitat is the Xochimilco network of lakes and canals.\u003cbr/\u003eThe creature is now suffering from pollution, urban sprawl and invasive species. \u003cbr/\u003eAxolotls use four stubby legs to drag themselves along the bottom or thick tails to swim in Xochimilco's murky channels while feeding on aquatic insects, small fish and crustaceans. \u003cbr/\u003eBut the surrounding garden-islands have increasingly been converted to illicit shantytowns, with untreated sewage often running off into the water.\u003cbr/\u003eGarza said that although pollution was the main factor affecting the creature's survival, it had also been facing the danger of being fished for food by local residents.\u003cbr/\u003e\"Since pre-Hispanic times it was a delicacy, they (indigenous people) say it used to be a delicacy of the Gods and later the people of the region ate it almost on a daily basis. Also, it's been used to make a syrup to aid with respiratory issues, so this has created a very complicated situation today,\" Garza said.\u003cbr/\u003eSome axolotls still survive in aquariums, water tanks and research labs, but experts said those conditions aren't the best, because of interbreeding and other risks.  \u003cbr/\u003eReleasing axolotls bred in captivity into the wild could spread a fungal infection that is fatal to them and could reduce their genetic diversity. \u003cbr/\u003eAlarmed by the creatures' falling numbers in recent years, researchers built axolotl \"shelters\" in Xochimilco to help them breed in the cleanest part of their remaining habitat.\u003cbr/\u003eSacks of rocks and reedy plants act as filters around a selected area, and cleaner water is pumped in, to create better conditions. \u003cbr/\u003eThe shelters also include permeable cages and other devices intended to help protect the axolotls from non-native carp and tilapia that were introduced to the lake system years ago and compete with axolotls for food.\u003cbr/\u003eThe Mexican Academy of Sciences said in a statement that a 1998 survey found an average of 6,000 axolotls per square kilometre, a figure that dropped to 1,000 in a 2003 study, and 100 in a 2008 survey.\u003cbr/\u003e1. Close of axolotl swimming inside plastic container \u003cbr/\u003e2. Close of two axolotls inside plastic container\u003cbr/\u003e3. Mid of National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) biologist Armando Tovar Garza lifting plastic container with axolotls in a shelter created by UNAM biologists\u003cbr/\u003e4. Close of sign reading (Spanish) \"Experimental channel\"\u003cbr/\u003e5. Close of axolotls inside container in shelter \u003cbr/\u003e6. Mid of  Tovar Garza inspecting a cage with axolotl eggs\u003cbr/\u003e7. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Armando Tovar Garza, biologist at National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM):\u003cbr/\u003e\"We are monitoring the Xochimilco channels, the lake system. And we have worked in almost six channels where we haven't had caught any axolotls, but we have had two sightings. That's important, because it tells us we still have a chance.\"\u003cbr/\u003e8. Close of axolotl on hand\u003cbr/\u003e9. Wide of Cuemanco pier, in Xochimilco, the Mexico City region where the census is taking place\u003cbr/\u003e10. Mid of trajineras (traditional boats used to sail the channels)\u003cbr/\u003e11. Wide of biologist stepping on a canoe with fisherman to start the census process\u003cbr/\u003e12. Wide of fisherman throwing a net into the water \u003cbr/\u003e13. Close of biologist weighing tilapia fish found in the channel\u003cbr/\u003e14. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Armando Tovar Garza, biologist at National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM):\u003cbr/\u003e\"Pollution is the main factor (for the axolotl being at risk) and also the exploitation of the species. Since pre-Hispanic times it was a delicacy, they (indigenous people) say it used to be a delicacy of the Gods and later the people of the region ate it almost on a daily basis. Also, it's been used to make a syrup to aid with respiratory issues, so this has created a very complicated situation today.\"\u003cbr/\u003e15. Wide of fishermen working for the axolotl census, cow in background\u003cbr/\u003e16. Mid of fisherman taking out net full of fish\u003cbr/\u003e17. Mid of biologist inspecting net\u003cbr/\u003e18. Close of axolotls swimming in container\u003cbr/\u003e19. 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