In the town of Rio Julio de Juarez in the State of Mexico, Leonidas Otrica Reyes is concerned about the drought that has turned streams into swampy puddles due to a year of little rain across the parched land.
Otrica Reyes, a 46-year-old waiter and member of the Rio Frio conservation group, expressed his worries about the lack of rain causing a severe impact on local crops and the endangered Axolotl volcano (Ambystoma leorae).
The Axolotl volcano is found east of Mexico City near the volcanoes Terapon and Tlaloc, in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, specifically in the Tula and Riofrio rivers, the only place where this species can be found.
According to Felipe Osuna López, a scholar at Colegio de la Frontera Sur University, the axolotls play a vital role in maintaining the biological balance of the area by suppressing invertebrate populations and helping to maintain water quality.
Osuna López, along with Otrica Reyes and others, initiated a fundraising campaign to save the dwindling axolotl population in the region’s waters, estimating that fewer than 200 specimens of this species remain.
The lack of rain is a national problem in Mexico, with 67.97% of the territory experiencing moderate to exceptional drought according to the National Water Commission. Forest fires have also increased by 60% due to these conditions.
The Axolotl preservation campaign aims to raise funds for activities such as monitoring, maintaining water bodies, and educational campaigns with local communities to support the survival of this endangered species.
The Axolotl has a significant cultural importance in Mexico, dating back to pre-Hispanic times when the Aztecs considered it a manifestation of Xolotl, the twin gods of death and transformation.
The Axolotl is part of the peritonoma genus, distributed throughout North America. In Mexico alone, 17 species are found in various parts of the country, with 16 being endemic.
Researchers warn that the Axolotl, especially in Xochimilco, is at risk due to urbanization, changing environmental conditions, and pollution in the canals and wetlands where the species resides.
Otrica Reyes emphasizes the importance of continuous awareness among communities to protect local flora and fauna and address the challenges faced by the Axolotl due to environmental changes.
Source: www.nbcnews.com
