Popular Pet Fish 'Axolotl' (우파루파), Facing Extinction in the Wild?

This animal was once famously known as 'Uparupa'. 'Uparupa' is reportedly the Japanese name for 'Axolotl'. When axolotls became popular in Korea, they were also known as 'Uparupa'. The Pokemon 'Wooper' is said to be a character inspired by this Uparupa.

The reason why axolotls have such cute appearances is that they don't undergo metamorphosis. They retain their tadpole-like features even when fully grown because they don't experience metamorphosis, the process of transforming into an adult form.

Axolotls are a type of salamander native to Mexico, and their adorable looks have made them popular pets. You can easily find axolotl adoption information online. However, these same axolotls are facing extinction in the wild.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the axolotl as Critically Endangered (CR). It's estimated that fewer than 1,000 axolotls remain in the wild globally, primarily in Mexico. While axolotls are actively traded as pets, why are they facing extinction in the wild?

Axolotls inhabit lakes in Mexico. The development of areas surrounding these lakes has led to the influx of various wastewater, which is widely considered the primary cause of their endangered status. Since the lake where axolotls reside is near Mexico City, the capital of Mexico, it's presumed that they have been disproportionately affected by development-induced water pollution. Industrial wastewater, agricultural runoff, and urban sewage – all these types of wastewater are lethal to salamanders like axolotls. Salamanders are known to thrive only in clean water. As a result, they are more susceptible to the harmful effects of wastewater compared to other creatures.

The introduction of invasive species is another factor contributing to the axolotl's endangered status. Fish like Nile tilapia, introduced for aquaculture, have been preying on axolotl eggs, causing a sharp decline in their population.

While some individuals keep axolotls as pets, the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) is running an online adoption campaign for axolotls. For 600 pesos, you can participate in activities simulating axolotl care, such as feeding, monitoring breeding, and checking their health. The 600 pesos collected through adoption are used to support efforts aimed at preventing the extinction of axolotls.

Axolotls, with their remarkable regenerative abilities, have become a subject of extensive research, and their cute appearance has made them popular pets. Yet, ironically, they are on the brink of extinction in the wild. We hope that axolotls can live freely in their natural habitat where they truly belong.