第1734期:Mexico Museum Aims to 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.

墨西哥的一家新博物馆旨在向公众宣传极度濒危的蝾螈。该博物馆最近在墨西哥城的查普尔特佩克动物园开放。蝾螈原产于墨西哥。由于其自然环境日益受到威胁，这种动物在野外极度濒危。 蝾螈因其在身体受到伤害时能够自愈而受到广泛关注。例如，动物可以再生腿和受损组织。它甚至可以修复影响心脏和大脑的问题。

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 regenerate their skin, muscles, bones, blood vessels, 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.

科学家们还记录了蝾螈如何用肺和鳃呼吸。它还可以通过皮肤吸收氧气。如果动物接触到被污染的水，这可能会导致问题。 “它们是少数能够再生皮肤、肌肉、骨骼、血管、神经、心脏和大脑的动物之一，”动物园保护官员费尔南多·瓜尔 (Fernando Gual) 说。谈到博物馆，Gual 说他认为这是一个有价值的工具，可以让市民了解这种不寻常的生物。 “这个领域的一个非常重要的部分是环境教育，”他说。

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 noted that 16 other kinds of axolotls also call Mexico home.

在阿兹特克的传统中，一位名叫 Xolotl 的反叛神为了躲藏起来避免被他的其他神杀死，将自己变成了一条蝾螈。但是神还是被发现了，被俘虏了，被杀了。阿兹特克国王也常吃蝾螈。原产于墨西哥城南部霍奇米尔科地区的蝾螈尤为出名。但 Gual 指出，还有 16 种其他种类的蝾螈也以墨西哥为家。

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 collapse. 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 amphibians, the country ranks number 5 in biodiversity worldwide.

过去，蝾螈在霍奇米尔科泥泞的运河中生活得很好。这些运河是可追溯到阿兹特克时代的曾经庞大的水道系统中仅存的部分。但研究表明，城市的扩张、污染的水域和以蝾螈为食的外来鱼类导致它们几乎完全崩溃。 Gual 说，霍奇米尔科仍然拥有墨西哥近 11% 的生物多样性。生物多样性一词描述了特定地区存在的植物和动物的数量和种类。墨西哥拥有 370 种不同种类的两栖动物，该国在全球生物多样性方面排名第五。

As the museum opened to its first visitors, the axolotl's popularity 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 tattoo he had on his arm. "I'm marked for life," he said.

随着博物馆向第一批游客开放，蝾螈在公众中的受欢迎程度显而易见。一位名叫费尔南多的游客说：“事实上，我非常、非常、非常、非常兴奋能够看到他们如何吃东西、如何生活以及他们是怎样的。”这名不愿透露姓氏的男子展示了他手臂上的一个小蝾螈纹身。 “我被终身标记，”他说。