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Welcome fellas to another broadcasting of Vagabundeando, the internet TV.
Program that takes you to visit beautiful places around Mexico City. I´m Juan Carlos de la Mora; I´ll guide you as every Monday so…
¡¡To wander away!!.
It´s evident for Inspiratv always show you important cultural precincts of Mexico City,
nevertheless this time the nature is a priority for all of us;
we are in the fourth release of ajolote here in lake area of Xochimilco.
So if you want to know what we are talking about, take a look!
The chinampa, the ajolote and particularly, culture and ecological reserve of Xochimilco is more about than trajineras and touristic zone from
boundary, but it is an agro ecological land that starts in Cuemanco and spreads to Mixquic through canal systems
and The United Nations has recognized as “Cultural Heritage of Humanity”.
Natural richness of the lake in Xochimilco´s lake area still alive, it is natural habitat of Ajolote,
an endemic specie 100% Mexican, and endangered.
That´s why Umbral Axochiatl organization, A.C. invites to collaborate in Mexican ajolote preservation,
the last year was done the fourth release on November 17.
Mr. Alejandro and other organizations have work in benefit to Mother Nature, here in this huge area where
you have the privilege to be. 27 or 30 years ago was a corn producer area.
Among their objectives as organization are: to make conservation activities and appropriation of
Xochipa identity among which Chinampas zone preservation and its endemic specie Ajolote.
In addition to revive and reactivate cultural traditions that gave an own identity to Xomilco´s inhabitant,
as well as spreading and promoting their cultural activities of the neighborhoods, as production of
plants distinctive from the zone using traditional methods.
Mexican wolf, ocelot, and anteater are Mexican species endangered, that´s why we must help to
preserve animals´ life and a good option is to cooperate with “Umbral Axochiatl” and The release of Ajolote.
The Mexican Ajolote or Axolotl, is an amphibious considered endemic and historically lived
in the complex lake system that existed in the valley of Mexico in the beginnings of XVI century…
Which were the lakes of Texcoco, Xochimilco, Chalco and Zumpango.
Today in freedom this one only lives in system of canals of Xochimilco in Mexico City.
Its basic appearance is like a giant pollywog with legged and tail. Its skin is smooth in all the body, but can be a bit rough and porous, looking closer.
Its head is sturdy, wide and flat. Ajolote´s eyes are small and lidless.
Its body has 12 folds in every side. A distinctive characteristic is its three set of ramified external gills
from behind of skull base. The legged have spiky thin four fingers no claws in forelimbs and 5 in hindlimbs.
This amphibious has awesome adaptations as well as its reproduction but preserving its larval stage.
Its coloration can be very varying. In wilderness is dark brown color or black on the back with clearer tones in belly.
They are 25.7 centimeters long from head to tail, 60 to 110 grams weight;
its mouth is big with 126 tiny teeth and its tongue is retractable.
The Mexican Ajolote is solitary and elusive but yet not known its interaction among subjects, except mating.
Ajolote´s diet is varied, eats little fishes, pollywogs, aquatic insects, worms, crustaceans, and
fresh water mollusks but they can survive with no food for many weeks.
We are with Mr. Nicho of Umbral Axochiatl Organization, thank so much to grant us this interview,
May you tell us How this initiative rose to preserve the ajolote?
Ok this rises to see some government projects which are not well planned; the government never
consult to inhabitants of the area; I mean, foreign species are inserted in the ecosystem, impacting
natural areas that are delicate or fragile, in this case there were many actions to introduce a fish called
“Tilapia” after was carp of Israel and many others as “Tilapia”.
We said them this species are going to impact the ecosystem, but this are government actions.
From the third year this specie started to harm the riverbed or bank rivers,
so the government understood that this specie is very noxious; but this one is widespread not only in Xochimilco also to center America.
It has been a serious problem cause the carp is annihilating local species;
species that coexisted with their natural environment.
We are working to preserve natural environment, but the government stolen our ideas.
That´s why we made this organization to be listened in forums, conferences, as Indigenous Organization.
A peculiar data fellas is the ajolote has capacity to regenerate its limbs, tail, jaw, skin, internal organs even brain parts.
As well as heard it friends, that´s why in many countries made genetic studies about ajolote and its regeneration power.
Besides the ajolote has been inspiration of many famous writers ; if you want to know about it,
we´ll know it after a commercial break, we´ll be right back!
In nahuatl language the ajolote is known as Axolotl,
that means “monstruo del agua” (water monster).
In Mexico there are writings about Ajolote since XVI century, when Bernandino de Sahagun in his
work “Historia general de las cosas de Nueva España”(General History of the Things of New Spain)
talks about Ajolote´s figure and its meaning for Indigenous before Conquest.
That one has served like muse to writers as Julio Cortazar, Argentinean writer that in 1952 published
the tale called “Axolotl”, where he narrates in some way, the transformation from man, himself to Ajolote.
Well Mr. Nicho we already know that is the fourth release of ajolote in Xochimilco the other ones when
were they made And the number of specimens that you introduced here?
To prepare this area take us one year and the mother nature will made its function. The second year
conditions were optimal because this plant that we can see, called “apapatla” grows up. The first release was
on September, 20 I mean every 20 days successively.
important for the ajolote that gives it optimal conditions to live. It´s not the same to have them in
fishbowl and after introducing them to natural environment.
Well fellas we are going to free up this ajolote
We must say in 1863 the French Elie Frédéric Forey sent to the museum of natural history of Paris 34 ajolote live specimens took them from Xochimilco.
If we talk about culinary culture, take a look!
Within culinary culture since Prehispanic times Ajolote has been used as food in many recipes, including tamales and soups.
Many years ago it was possible to get it easily in Xochimilco markets, Toluca, Patzcuaro.
Besides ancient dwellers could give it mystical properties; used it like medicine to fight diseases as asthma and bronchitis.
There are many cultural reasons that have caused its overexploitation, mainly traditional catches.
All of that in Mexico its relevance as specie is very important by its cultural customs and traditions as inspiration,
because it is an amphibian specie more studied around the world; at physiological, genetics level and model in the studies of biological development.
the way Don Nicho!! May you invite to audience to add this worthy cause to preserve the nature?
Because we have overexploited more than we need, it´s time to solve this problem and we will give back to nature all we have removed due overexploitation. May you invite them?
Yes of course I will invite in the name of Mother Nature all social classes, governments and the current government to make a national crusade to exalt Mexico
as example to follow by the other countries. To raise awareness that all of us are part of this planet, there isn´t other one,
we must be conscious that we have altered the elements and back to ingratiate with them, such as listen to them,
walk with them and coexist with them, for giving a new equilibrium, in order to establish a social or homeland peace in benefit of all of us.
it was a pleasure to talk with you Mr. Nicho thank you so much and we continue with this tour for all our
friends know about this important task made in lake area of Xochimilco, let´s go!
This program has showed to raise awareness about natural environment and its endangered species.
We want to thank to Umbral Axochiatl, A.C. for all facilities for make this program.
And I hope so you have enjoined this tour, and support this worthy cause in order to preserve our endangered species.
I´m Juan Carlos de la Mora, I´ll wait for you the next week in your favorite program “Vagabundeando”
See you next time!!!
Subtitulos: Pierre Du Pont