'Axolotls are paying the price' warns Evesham rescue centre

Evesham Axolotl and Reptile Rescue is warning that thousands of the exotic amphibians are being dumped across the UK as their popularity as pets rises and their charm quickly wears off for unprepared owners.

The centre is seeing a growing trend of neglected axolotls being surrendered by owners who bought them after seeing the creatures featured in games like Minecraft, Roblox, and Fortnite.

Tara Costellow, who runs the rescue centre with her husband Gareth, said: "We first started seeing a surge due to the popularity of Minecraft.

"But more recently, we're hearing Fortnite and Roblox could also be behind it, and we're constantly getting them now.

"Over the space of the eight years we've been running, we must have had a couple of thousand brought into us.

"Kids have been wanting them as pets, but axolotls don't actually do that much, so they end up getting bored.

"The responsibility then goes to the parents and a lot of them don't know how to care for these specialist animals."

The centre, based on Evesham High Street has previously received a surrender of 350 in one go, but is currently caring for around 160 axolotls.

Axolotls require careful long-term care, can live up to 15 years, and can grow up to 12 inches long.

The animals are being sold for as little as £30 on social media platforms, often by unscrupulous breeders keen to profit from the trend.

Mrs Costellow has warned that these sellers are putting animals and buyers at risk, with some even mailing live axolotls, which is not permitted.

She said: "Back street breeders are just looking to cash in and even post them in the mail, which you aren't supposed to do.

"They just sell them on Facebook, and they go for around £30 to as much as £150."

The centre believes greater regulation is urgently needed to protect both the animals and buyers.

Axolotls are critically endangered in the wild but are not currently regulated under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act.

Mrs Costellow said: "They aren't covered by the Dangerous Wild Animals Act like some snakes and lizards, so there's nobody really regulating their trade.

"They are incredible animals and can repair and rejuvenate anything from their spines to their brains, so they are being sold with missing legs and buyer's just told 'don't worry they will grow back'."

Unlike more common household pets, axolotls require specialist environments to survive.

Tank setup alone can take up to three months to establish a proper nitrogen cycle, and regular testing is needed to keep ammonia and nitrite at safe levels.

The increase in unwanted axolotls is also being fuelled by their rapid breeding—something many new owners do not anticipate.

A female axolotl can lay up to 1,500 eggs in a single clutch.

Mrs Costellow said: "You can put them together and 48 hours later they are pregnant.

"So people just see it as a money maker.

"The majority of people who come to us are pet owners who didn't appreciate what they were getting into as well as breeders who just have too many babies at one time."

She is calling on the public to do their research and only buy from ethical, informed breeders.

Without improved regulation and education, she fears the problem will only get worse.

Mrs Costellow said: "The issue is getting out of control."