A 10-year-old girl has made an extraordinary discovery: a critically endangered Mexican axolotl found under a bridge in Wales. This marks the first recorded sighting of its kind in the United Kingdom, with experts estimating only 50 to 1,000 axolotls remain in the wild worldwide.
Unexpected Find in Bridgend
Melanie Hill's daughter, Evie, was playing by the River Ogmore in Bridgend, South Wales, on April 10 when she stumbled upon the rare amphibian. The axolotl, a Mexican salamander known for its perpetual smile and remarkable regenerative abilities, was nestled among rocks after Evie lifted a discarded mat in the river.
Initially, Melanie, 50, did not believe her daughter, thinking the creature was a newt or a snake. However, upon closer inspection, she was shocked to find the exotic amphibian. The family retrieved it, stored it temporarily in a gravy boat, and drove to a nearby Range store to purchase a suitable container.
Care and Recovery
The next day, the family contacted a local breeder after noticing damage to the axolotl's tail and stomach. Following advice on care, they cut short their holiday and returned home to Leicester with their new pet, which Evie named Dippy D—'Dippy' after the bridge where it was found and 'D' for the Welsh Dragon.
About the Mexican Axolotl
Axolotls are carnivorous paedomorphic salamanders native to the freshwater lakes of Xochimilco and Chalco in the Valley of Mexico. They typically live 10 to 15 years in the wild and can grow up to 12 inches. Due to urbanization, water pollution, and invasive species, they are critically endangered and listed on the IUCN Red List. Axolotls are famous for their ability to regenerate limbs, gills, and parts of their eyes and brains, making them valuable in scientific research.
Melanie, a mother of eight and school premises officer, recounted the discovery: 'We were travelling in our campervan and stopped by the Dipping Bridge. Evie loves nature and went paddling. She lifted a mat and found it. She came running back excitedly saying she'd seen an axolotl—I told her no, she hadn't. I thought it was a lizard or newt. I've been telling her those YouTube creatures aren't real, but now I have one in my kitchen.'
Axolotls have surged in popularity as pets, partly due to games like Minecraft and Roblox. Chris Newman, director of the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, told the BBC that Evie likely saved Dippy's life. He noted no previous recorded sightings of Mexican axolotls in the UK or elsewhere globally. 'This is a unique situation. The young girl has a keen eye to spot it. Catching them is no mean feat—they're slippery,' he said.
Melanie added: 'Evie is delighted. They are amazing creatures. It's recovering well, thanks to their regenerative abilities. We've researched how to keep it healthy and have no regrets. We're setting up a larger tank for Dippy D.'
