A ten-year-old girl made an extraordinary discovery while exploring the River Ogmore in Wales. Evie Hill found a nine-inch Mexican axolotl under the Dipping Bridge in Merthyr Mawr. This endangered amphibian is not native to the UK and is rarely seen in British waters.
Unexpected Find
Evie's mother, Melanie, initially doubted her daughter's claim. She had told Evie that the strange creatures she saw on YouTube and in the game Minecraft were not real. However, the axolotl was very real, prompting the family to cut short their camper van holiday and drive the animal back to their home in Leicester.
The axolotl, named Dippy after the bridge, was injured when found under a discarded mat. It had damage to its stomach and tail. Chris Newman from the National Centre for Reptile Welfare (NCRW) praised Evie's quick thinking, stating it likely saved the animal's life. He believes Dippy was an abandoned pet that would not have survived in the wild.
Rise in Pet Ownership
Experts note a surge in axolotl purchases due to popular games like Roblox. The RSPCA warns that these creatures are difficult to care for, requiring specific water temperatures and diet. This leads to impulse buying and subsequent abandonment in local rivers, harming both the animal and the ecosystem.
Axolotls are a type of aquatic salamander with remarkable regenerative abilities, capable of regrowing organs, skin, and limbs. In the wild, they are critically endangered in Mexico due to urban sprawl, though they thrive in laboratories and home aquariums.
Rescue and Care
The Hill family has set up a large new tank for Dippy and is providing ongoing care. Despite not planning to bring home an endangered species, they have no regrets. Evie is now famous at school for her discovery.
Conservationists use Dippy's story to remind the public never to release non-native species into the wild. If you find a pet or can no longer care for one, contact organizations like the NCRW rather than abandoning it.
