18 August 2016
The Chinese giant salamander is one of the world's 100 most endangered species* and is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. Its numbers have declined drastically in recent years, and it's believed fewer than 1,000 individuals remain in the wild. They live only in a 10-square-kilometre area around three watercourses in Lorestan, Iran.
During winter, they spend most of their time on land, hidden under stones and logs. When spring arrives and it's time to mate, they seek out water.
The biggest reason for their significant decline is the illegal wildlife trade. Wild salamanders are collected and sold on the black market as pets. This has also led to a shortage of adult, sexually mature individuals. Another threat is the destruction and disappearance of their habitat – for example, a lot of firewood is collected in the areas where they live. This, along with the region often suffering from severe drought, makes life tough for the salamanders. Invasive carp that eat their eggs and fry, as well as dams on watercourses, don't exactly make the situation any easier.
It is important to have ex-situ breeding programmes for this species, which otherwise risks extinction in the near future. This, together with local conservation efforts and stricter control of illegal trade, can hopefully help the species to increase in numbers again.
Parken Zoo has imperial salamanders that will be displayed in their impressive terrarium in the desert house in the near future.
According to the report ”Priceless or worthless” produced by ZSL (Zoological Society of London).