Protecting the Critically Endangered Taylor's Salamander
Blueprint
ASSESS
Since 2004, Taylor’s Salamander has been assessed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species because of its single small location in Laguna Alchichica, and because of its declining habitat quality. Africam Safari Zoo in nearby Puebla, Mexico, became concerned about the salamander’s conservation status, and between 2015 and 2017, the herpetology team conducted a population and threat analysis study. Salamanders were once commonly sighted along the lake’s edge but were confirmed as rare during the study. Two major threats were identified for the species: pollution by people visiting the lake during weekends and holidays, and reduction of the lake’s water level due to groundwater extraction for agriculture and domestic uses, that in turn also increases the lake’s natural salinity.
PLAN
After this initial research, two workshops were organised in 2017 with local stakeholders (municipality authorities and representatives from the communities around the lake). The Africam Safari Zoo team presented the results of the analysis and proposed a series of conservation actions to protect the habitat and species. Workshop stakeholders contributed additional conservation measures, actions were prioritised within the group, and the resultant Survival Blueprint was published. Critical actions included developing a permanent population monitoring protocol, establishing an assurance colony under captive care, engaging the community in habitat restoration (litter clearance and reforestation of the surrounding areas), and creating awareness among visitors about the importance of the lake and the species inhabiting it. In the same year, funding was obtained to start applying actions in the plan.
ACT
Annual population monitoring expanded preliminary species abundance data, and incorporated disease screening during field sampling. Water quality tests in the lake were also performed, which informed husbandry parameters for the assurance population at Africam Safari Zoo. A group of 38 founders was collected and represents the world’s first captive colony of this species.
The local community has participated in three large litter clearance events around the lake each year. Together with local landowners and farmers, four areas have been reforested by planting 12,000 native trees to improve habitat quality and prevent erosion around the lake. A habitat monitoring protocol was also established, targeting restoration around agricultural plots in nearby towns and two other crater lakes. Physical barriers were erected by municipal authorities to close access to vehicles and cattle, which would reduce the amount of litter in the protected zone by at least 50%. Regulations are also under development for limiting water extraction, defining compatible land use, and reducing the use of pesticides and chemical fertilisers that carry over from farms to the lake.
Workshops were held in local schools to recruit volunteer teams as guardians for the lake. The guides were trained on how to approach visitors to Alchichica and educate them about the salamander and the harm generated by trash.
Results
Population monitoring has shown a stable but low population over the past three years in Laguna Alchichica. In 2019, the zoo celebrated the first ever breeding event of Taylor’s Salamander in captive care, gaining important data on the species’ biology and husbandry needs, and paving the way for a future reintroduction if needed. Approximately one ton of litter has been collected during every litter clearance event. During Easter holidays, when the lake experiences the highest number of visitors, the team determined a daily education campaign was most effective at deterring people from littering.
The local ministry of environment has been a strong collaborator in this conservation project and contributed much of the equipment necessary for the development and execution of the action plan. Their interest in the programme and the salamander resulted in the creation of a new natural protected area around the lake. A management plan for the protected area is being developed and many actions included in the Taylor’s Salamander Survival Blueprint will be included in the new management plan, for the benefit of multiple species inhabiting the Laguna Alchichica region.
Collaborations
Major
Partners
ZSL Edge of Existence Programme
Africam Safari Zoo
Additional
Contributors
Secretaría de Medio Ambiente; Desarrollo Sustentable y Ordenamiento Territorial del Estado de Puebla (Local Ministry of Environment)
Funders
ZSL Edge of Existence Programme; Volkswagen de México; Stiftung Artenschutz - Amphibian Conservation Fund; Mohammed Bin Zayed - Species Conservation Fund; The Foundation for the Conservation of Salamanders
Additional Resources
Content Updated as of 9/3/2020