Unofficial World Cup mascot sparks fury among locals ahead of opener

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleNamed after the Nahuatl word for ‘water monster,’ the axolotl has been embraced by the city's World Cup branding (Reuters)Mexico City is prominently featuring the critically endangered axolotl, a unique salamander native to the region, as an unofficial mascot for the upcoming World Cup, displaying it in murals, subway cars, and sculptures.The widespread use of the axolotl has generated significant backlash from Mexico City residents, who contend it serves as a distraction from the city's urgent infrastructure issues and a notable absence of genuine conservation efforts for the species.Scientists have reported a drastic decline in the axolotl population, with researchers conducting a recent census unable to locate a single axolotl in its natural Xochimilco habitat for two years, a stark contrast to thousands per square kilometer in past decades.The axolotl's natural habitat, which once flourished in the chinampas of ancient Tenochtitlan, has been severely degraded by pollution from inadequately treated wastewater, expanding urban development, and unchecked mass tourism, rendering the species highly susceptible to environmental changes.Despite the axolotl's growing popularity and its scientific significance for its remarkable regenerative capabilities, critics, including UNAM ecologist Luis Zambrano, express concern that its viral visibility has not resulted in tangible actions to preserve its natural environment, with many preferring to observe them in captive settings.In fullAxolotl salamander: Why an unofficial World Cup mascot has sparked backlash from localsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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