“Adoptaxolotl” Campaign Launches in Mexico to Save Iconic Species

The campaign, called “Adoptaxolotl,” asks people for as little as 600 pesos (about $35) to virtually adopt an axolotl—one of the tiny “water monsters.” Virtual adoption comes with live updates on your axolotl’s health. For less, donors can buy one of the creatures a virtual dinner.

Last year’s Adoptaxolotl campaign raised just over 450,000 pesos ($26,300) towards an experimental captive breeding program and efforts to restore habitat in the ancient Aztec canals of Xochimilco, a southern borough of Mexico City.