News Animals The axolotl is endangered in the wild. A discovery offers hope A recent finding presents a conservation opportunity for the popular pet amphibian Axolotls are common pets and used in research. But they are endangered in the wild. Paul Starosta/Stone/Getty Images Plus By Anna Gibbs 2 hours ago Despite capturing hearts around the world, the wild axolotl — an aquatic salamander with feathery frills and a soft smile — faces extinction. Fortunately, for both axolotls and their fans, a new conservation method shows promise. In captivity, axolotls abound as household pets and research subjects. But wild axolotls, endemic to a single lake in Mexico, are critically endangered due to degradation of their native wetlands, with only 50 to 1,000 individuals left in the wild. Introducing captive-bred axolotls to restored and artificial wetlands may be a promising option for conserving these charismatic critters, researchers report April 30 in PLOS One. Sign up for our newsletter We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.