A RARE albino amphibian is starting its new life at Borth Animalarium, after being rescued from a ditch.

The axolotl, which is from a species which is highly endangered in the wild, was rescued from a ditch in Plascrug Avenue, Aberystwyth.

Jean Mumbray, of the animalarium, said the rescued axolotl, which is also known as the Mexican walking fish, may have been attacked by a sibling as it is an albino.

She said: “We were told by Helen Kennedy that an axolotl had been seen in a ditch in Aberystwyth. We intended to catch it that evening, but were telephoned to say that Callum Stone of Natural Resources Wales intended to catch it and asked if would we take it.

“Of course we said ‘yes’ and the axolotl arrived that evening. It is a large specimen with slightly deformed or injured front toes and thickened gills. This could have been caused by attacks from a sibling

“It is an albino form with red gills which is why it was spotted in the ditch. The more usual black form would have been more difficult to spot and of course they may be black ones still in the ditch.”

While there are many axolotls in captivity, Jean said they are endangered in the wild.

She said: “These animals are highly endangered being found in nature in a few lakes in Mexico such as Lake Xochimilco, near Mexico City."

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