An adventurous 10-year-old girl from Leicester, named Evie Hill, made a remarkable discovery in Bridgend, Wales, finding an endangered Mexican axolotl measuring nine inches in length. This marks the first instance of an axolotl being found in the wild in the United Kingdom. The species she came across is at risk, with only an estimated 50 to 1,000 remaining worldwide.
Evie narrated her excitement at uncovering the amphibian while exploring the riverbank with her mother. Recognizing the axolotl from her favorite video game, Minecraft, she identified it by its distinctive gills. Despite initial skepticism from her mother, Evie managed to capture the axolotl with her hands, defying regulations that prohibit releasing non-native species, and decided to bring it home.
Named “Dippy” by Evie, the Mexican axolotl now resides with her and her mother in Leicester. Chris Newman, director of the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, commended Evie for her quick thinking, stating that her discovery likely saved Dippy’s life. He emphasized the rarity of the situation, praising Evie’s observational skills and dexterity in catching the elusive creature.
