PHOTO: This stunning close-up of an axolotl captures its unique features and enchanting colors, thriving in its underwater habitat among gravel and aquatic plants. © CNW Group/Vancouver Aquarium
The Vancouver Aquarium invites visitors into a world of wonder with the launch of its new permanent exhibit, Amazing Axolotls!, which debuted on Sunday, January 11, 2026.
Located in Stanley Park and welcoming visitors since 1956, the Vancouver Aquarium has connected more than 50 million people from around the world to our oceans—inviting guests not only to explore marine life, but to better understand the threats facing our oceans and the actions that can help protect them. That mission continues through Amazing Axolotls!, a new gallery that expands the Aquarium’s existing axolotl experience into a larger, more immersive space designed to inspire curiosity, learning, and conservation-minded action.
Often recognized for their frilly external gills, perpetual “smiles,” and remarkable ability to regenerate, axolotls are among the most charismatic amphibians on the planet. The new exhibit celebrates what makes this species so captivating while highlighting its cultural significance and the conservation challenges it faces in the wild.
“Axolotls are an exceptionally unique species that spark curiosity and fascination,” said Mackenzie Neale, Animal Care Director. “Through this exhibit, we hope guests gain a deeper understanding of, and connection to, this remarkable animal.”
New, Immersive Axolotl Habitats & Interactive Moments
Amazing Axolotls! features three habitats, including two dedicated to axolotls and one for fish. All habitats are designed at a similar viewing height to support accessibility and comfortable sightlines for visitors of all ages.
Educational displays throughout the gallery explore the axolotl’s cultural origins, unique biology, and conservation significance. Guests can also step into a playful photo moment—“Smile Like an Axolotl”—created to encourage engagement and shareable memories that extend the exhibit’s reach beyond the gallery walls.
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A Shared Story of Conservation, From Vancouver to Mexico City
The exhibit also spotlights the axolotl’s fragile wild habitat. Endemic to the Valley of Mexico, the axolotl now survives in the wild only in Xochimilco, a network of waterways in Mexico City with deep ecological and cultural importance.
“This display offers Canadians a closer look at this extraordinary salamander and the need to protect its delicate habitat,” said Julián Adem, Consul General of Mexico in Vancouver. “Endemic to the Valley of Mexico, the axolotl now survives in the wild only in Xochimilco, an ecological treasure in Mexico City.”
“We thank the Vancouver Aquarium for helping share the story of this remarkable species and invite visitors to discover the exhibition—and, one day, the vibrant waterways of Xochimilco, which the axolotl calls home.”
See Conservation in Action
As a long-standing leader in ocean education and conservation, the Vancouver Aquarium upholds high standards of animal care and stewardship. The Aquarium is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA), and Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA), and is Humane Conservation Certified by American Humane.
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Beyond the gallery, that commitment continues through its partnership with the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR), the independent registered charity that operates Canada’s only dedicated marine mammal rescue facility. Each year, VAMMR responds to more than 300 marine animal emergencies—rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing animals in distress, and disentangling sea lions impacted by marine debris. Donations directly support this lifesaving work.
(Source: Vancouver Aquarium)
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