Mexico Museum Aims to Help Save Endangered Axolotl Salamander

Mexico Museum Aims to Help Save Endangered Axolotl Salamander

A new museum in Mexico aims to educate the public about the critically endangered axolotl salamander. The museum recently opened at Chapultepec Zoo in Mexico City.

The axolotl is native only to Mexico. The animal is extremely endangered in the wild because its natural environment is increasingly threatened.

The salamander has captured wide attention for its ability to heal itself when its body gets harmed. For example, the animal can regrow legs and damaged tissue. It can even repair problems affecting the heart and brain.

Scientists have also documented how the salamander can breathe with lungs and gills. It can also take in oxygen through its skin. This can cause problems if the animal comes in contact with polluted water.

"They are one of the few animals that can regenerate¹ their skin, muscles, bones, blood vessels², nerves, heart, brain," said Fernando Gual, a conservation official at the zoo.

Speaking about the museum, Gual said he sees it as a valuable tool to inform citizens about the unusual creature. "A hugely important part of this space is environmental education," he said.

In Aztec tradition, a rebel god named Xolotl turned himself into an axolotl to hide and avoid being killed by his other gods. But the god was still discovered, captured and killed. Axolotl salamanders were also commonly eaten by Aztec kings.

The axolotl that is native to Mexico City's southern Xochimilco area is especially well-known. But Gual noted³ that 16 other kinds of axolotls also call Mexico home.

In the past, axolotls did very well in Xochimilco's muddy canals. The canals are the only remaining part of a once large waterway system dating back to Aztec times. But studies have shown the spread of cities, polluted water and non-native fish that eat the salamanders have led to their near-total collapse⁴.

Still, Xochimilco still holds nearly 11 percent of Mexico's biodiversity, Gual said. The term biodiversity describes the number and kinds of plants and animals that exist in a particular area. With Mexico's 370 different kinds of amphibians⁵, the country ranks number 5 in biodiversity worldwide.

As the museum opened to its first visitors, the axolotl's popularity⁶ with the public was very clear.

"The truth is I'm very, very, very, very excited to be able to see how they eat, how they live, just how they are," said one visitor named Fernando.

The man, who did not want to give his last name, showed off a small axolotl tattoo⁷ he had on his arm. "I'm marked for life," he said.

Words in This Story

museum – n. a building that keeps and shows objects of historical, scientific or artistic⁸ interest

regenerate – v. to grow again

conservation – n. an organized effort that aims to protect animals, plants and natural resources

canal – n. a long, thin stretch of water that is artificially made to be used by boats for transportation

tattoo – n. a permanent image, pattern or word on the skin that is created by using needles to put colors under the skin.

1 regenerate   

vt.使恢复，使新生；vi.恢复，再生；adj.恢复的

参考例句：

• Their aim is to regenerate British industry.他们的目的是复兴英国的工业。
• Although it is not easy,you have the power to regenerate your life.尽管这不容易，但你有使生活重获新生的能力。

2 vessels   

n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人

参考例句：

• The river is navigable by vessels of up to 90 tons. 90 吨以下的船只可以从这条河通过。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• All modern vessels of any size are fitted with radar installations. 所有现代化船只都有雷达装置。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

3 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

4 collapse   

vi.累倒；昏倒；倒塌；塌陷

参考例句：

• The country's economy is on the verge of collapse.国家的经济已到了崩溃的边缘。
• The engineer made a complete diagnosis of the bridge's collapse.工程师对桥的倒塌做了一次彻底的调查分析。

5 amphibians   

两栖动物( amphibian的名词复数 )； 水陆两用车； 水旱两生植物； 水陆两用飞行器

参考例句：

• The skin of amphibians is permeable to water. 两栖动物的皮肤是透水的。
• Two amphibians ferry them out over the sands. 两辆水陆两用车把他们渡过沙滩。

6 popularity   

n.普及，流行，名望，受欢迎

参考例句：

• The story had an extensive popularity among American readers.这本小说在美国读者中赢得广泛的声望。
• Our product enjoys popularity throughout the world.我们的产品饮誉全球。

7 tattoo   

n.纹身，(皮肤上的)刺花纹；vt.刺花纹于

参考例句：

• I've decided to get my tattoo removed.我已经决定去掉我身上的纹身。
• He had a tattoo on the back of his hand.他手背上刺有花纹。

8 artistic   

adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的

参考例句：

• The picture on this screen is a good artistic work.这屏风上的画是件很好的艺术品。
• These artistic handicrafts are very popular with foreign friends.外国朋友很喜欢这些美术工艺品。