A 10-year-old girl has found a critically endangered Mexican axolotl under a bridge in Wales - the first discovery of its kind ever in the UK, with experts believing there are only 50 to 1,000 left in the world.
Melanie Hill's daughter Evie had been playing down by the River Ogmore in Bridgend, South Wales, when she made the incredible find on April 10.
The axolotl, a Mexican salamander known for its perpetually-smiley appearance, is remarkable in its ability to sprout new limbs and regrow just about any damaged body part.
Evie spotted the nine-inch pale salamander, which was nestled in the rocks, after lifting up a discarded mat in the river.
But her mother Melanie, 50, didn't believe her daughter when she said she had found an axolotl, thinking it was more likely to be a newt or a snake.
However, she was left shocked to find the exotic amphibian in the water, which they retrieved and stored in a gravy boat before driving to the nearest Range store to buy a suitable container.
The next day the family contacted a local breeder as the creature had damage to its tail and stomach.
After getting advice on how to care for it, the family cut short their holiday short and travelled back home to Leicester with their new pet, named Dippy D by Evie.
Melanie Hill's daughter Evie had been playing down by the River Ogmore in Bridgend, South Wales, when she spotted endangered Mexican axolotl
The axolotl, a Mexican salamander known as well for its perpetually-smiley appearance, is remarkable in its ability to to sprout new limbs and regrow just about any damaged body parts. Pictured: The axolotl found by Evie who named it Dippy D
Axolotls: The Aztec favourite now incredibly endangered
Axolotls are carnivorous paedomorphic salamanders which were originally found in several lakes underlying Mexico City.
They live on average between 10 and 15 years in the wild, can grow up to 12 inches, and are only native to the freshwater of Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco in the Valley of Mexico.
Lake Chalco does not exist any more, having been drained as a flood control measure, and Lake Xochimilco now exists mainly as canals.
The axolotl is currently on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's annual Red List of threatened species.
Potential owners are warned that they are a huge commitment, requiring a large tank with good water filtration and heating.
They need regular water changes, veterinary care if they become ill and someone to care for them during holidays and other times away.
They are atypical among amphibians because they reach adulthood without going through metamorphosis, remaining aquatic and gilled instead of taking to the land as adults.
Axolotls are near extinction, in part because of the urbanisation of Mexico City and the following water pollution.
Other factors include the introduction of invasive species like the tilapia and perch.
They are extensively used in scientific research because of their ability to regenerate limbs, gills and parts of their eyes and brains.
Axolotls have also been sold as food in Mexican markets and were a staple in the Aztec diet.
Mother-of-eight Melanie, who works as a school premises offer, said: 'We had been travelling around Wales in our campervan and were trying to find a place to stop overnight on the way to Barry.
'We found a place to pull over by what's known as the Dipping Bridge and Evie loves nature so she went off paddling and playing down by the river.
'There was a piece of mat in the water which she lifted up and there she spotted it.
'She rather excitedly came running back up saying she'd seen an axolotl - and I quite simply told her "no you haven't"
'Evie watches them on Youtube so knows what they look like but of course I didn't believe her for a moment.
'I thought she's found a lizard, a newt or a snake perhaps.
'I've been telling Evie all this time that those creatures she watches on YouTube, they're not real.
'But she was about to make me eat my words - because now I have one in my kitchen.'
Axolotls as pets have seen an explosion in popularity in recent years - thanks to game like Minecraft and Roblox.
They are only found in Lake Xochimilco near Mexico City and are considered critically endangered in the wild.
Chris Newman, director of the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, told the BBC Evie probably saved Dippy's life when she discovered it.
He said there were no recorded sightings of Mexican axolotls in the UK or elsewhere in the world.
He added: 'This is a quite a unique situation, and I think the young female has a keen eye to actually spot it.
'I think she did remarkable to find him.
'Catching them is no mean feat - they're quite slippery, so I think she did really well.'
Dippy D in his new tank home. Axolotls as pets have seen an explosion in popularity in recent years - thanks to game like Minecraft and Roblox
nature-loving Evie found the creature beneath this bridge over the river Ogmore
Mother Melanie, centre, didn't believe Evie, left, when she said she had found an axolotl, thinking it was more likely to be a newt or a snake
Ms Hill added: 'Evie is delighted with her new pet, they are such amazing creatures.
'It is recovering well, they have this ability to regrow and rebuild after injury.
'We spent hours doing our research on how best to keep it healthy and we have no regrets on bringing it home.
'Evie has named him Dippy D - Dippy after the bridge where it was found and D for dragon as it our Welsh Dragon.
'We've got a much bigger tank, and we plan to get that set up so it can be transferred.'