A 10-year-old girl named Evie Hill found an axolotl under a bridge in Wales, according to reports. The axolotl was found under Dipping Bridge on the River Ogmore near Bridgend, south Wales, according to reports. This is the first documented discovery of an axolotl in the wild in the UK, according to reports.
The axolotl, named Dippy as a tribute to where it was found, was pale in color with speckles and had injuries to its tail and stomach, according to reports. The family cut their holiday short to take the axolotl to their home in Leicester, according to reports.
Wild axolotls are found only in Lake Xochimilco near Mexico City and are critically endangered, with only 50 to 1,000 left globally in the wild, according to reports. As pets, axolotls have seen a surge in popularity due to video games like Minecraft and Roblox, and have become popular on TikTok and Instagram, according to reports.
Chris Newman, director of the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, said Evie probably saved Dippy's life, according to reports. The RSPCA expressed concern that axolotls are becoming more popular among children and are not easy pets to keep, according to reports. It is illegal to release axolotls into the wild in the UK, according to reports.
Dippy's recovery is being documented on TikTok, according to reports. Axolotls have regenerative power and can regrow tissue, according to reports. Axolotls can reach 12 inches in length, but on average grow to about 9 inches, according to reports.
How the axolotl ended up in the River Ogmore remains unknown, as does whether it was abandoned by a pet owner. Dippy's current health status has not been disclosed, and it is unclear if the axolotl will be returned to the wild or kept as a pet. The legal implications for the family taking the axolotl home are also uncertain.