A little about Playa Zipolite, The Beach of the Dead . . .

Playa Zipolite, Oaxaca, Southern Mexico, on the Pacific Ocean. A little bit about my favorite little get-away on this small world of ours.

Zipolite, a sweaty 30-minute walk west from Puerto Angel, brings you to Playa Zipolite and another world. The feeling here is 1970's - Led Zep, Marley, and scruffy gringos.

A long, long time ago, Zipolite beach was usually visited by the Zapotecans...who made it a magical place. They came to visit Zipolite to meditate, or just to rest.

Recently, this beach has begun to receive day-trippers from Puerto Angel and Puerto Escondido, giving it a more TOURISTY feel than before.

Most people come here for the novelty of the nude beach, yoga, turtles, seafood, surf, meditation, vegetarians, discos, party, to get burnt by the sun, or to see how long they can stretch their skinny budget.

I post WWW Oaxaca, Mexico, Zipolite and areas nearby information. Also general budget, backpacker, surfer, off the beaten path, Mexico and beyond, information.

REMEMBER: Everyone is welcome at Zipolite.

ivan

Sunday, March 4, 2018

Day of the salamander proposed by senator The declaration would help conserve the endangered Mexican axolotl Mexico News Daily | Thursday, March 1, 2018

https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/senator-urges-feb-1-be-day-of-the-salamander/?utm_source=Mexico+News+Daily&utm_campaign=52a09ef671-newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f1536a3787-52a09ef671-348153685

Day of the salamander proposed by senator

The declaration would help conserve the endangered Mexican axolotl

Mexico News Daily | Thursday, March 1, 2018

A senator has proposed that February 1 be declared the Day of the Axolotl in order to promote conservation of the species of salamander that is native to Mexico.

Axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum), also known as Mexican salamanders, have become commonplace pets and for years have fascinated all and sundry with their ability to regenerate tails and limbs.

Despite their domestic popularity, in their natural habitat the axolotls have been considered critically endangered since 2010. Population counts conducted over the years have shown a sharp drop in their numbers in the wild: there were 6,000 specimens per square kilometer in 1998, but only 35 in 2014.

Senator Silvia Guadalupe Garza Galván proposed that the National Day of the Mexican Axolotl be February 1, the date this year on which the scientific journal Naturepublished a genomic study of the salamander’s regenerative abilities.

Garza explained that axolotls once thrived in the Mexico City canals of Xochimilco, but tourist activity in the area, along with illegal sewer discharges and farming and fishing activities, have had a negative impact on the ecosystem.

The introduction of invasive fish species such as tilapia and perch is another factor that has contributed to the axolotls’ reduced numbers.

“By declaring the national day we would be acknowledging the biological and cultural worth of the Mexican axolotls’ survival,” said Garza.

The senator added that axolotls have been a part of Mexican culture for years, serving as a delicacy on Aztec and contemporary tables and earning mention in the works of Mexican writers.

Today, their scientific study could one day lead to a better understanding of their regenerative capabilities and, further along, dramatically improve human health.

Source: El Universal (sp), Nature (en)