What in the World - Axolotls: How the endangered amphibian is making a comeback

Download Axolotls: How the endangered amphibian is making a comeback

Axolotls are only found in the wild in one place in the world; an area of wetland just outside Mexico City. They are one of the world’s most endangered, and arguably most adorable, amphibians. Not just meme-worthy, they are also scientifically fascinating - they don’t really age and they can regrow body parts, including their brains.

Very few are left in the wild, but now scientists have released captive-bred axolotls back into the wetlands and found that they not only survived, but even put on a bit of weight.

BBC science correspondent Victoria Gill talks us through the study and explains what scientists can learn from these amazing creatures.

And Assistant Professor Prayag Murawala from the MDI Biological Laboratory in the US, describes what we know about how axolotls regenerate their own body parts.

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Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Chelsea Coates, Emily Horler and Julia Ross-Roy
Editor: Harriet Oliver

Published on Friday, 2nd May 2025.

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