Conservation teams are racing to save the critically endangered Mazama newts in the United States.

The Oregon Zoo, in collaboration with the National Park Service and the High Desert Museum, has launched an emergency effort to protect the species from extinction.

Nineteen newts were recently relocated from Crater Lake to the zoo's conservation laboratory.

Julia Low, who oversees the zoo's newt conservation programme, said: 'The newts are settling in well, which is just what we'd hoped for. This is only the second time this species has been in human care, and this will be the first-ever breeding effort, so we're eager to learn everything we can.'

Once a top aquatic predator in Crater Lake, the Mazama newt is now threatened by invasive signal crayfish.

Survey data has shown a sharp decline in the population. In 2008, newts were observed at half of the survey sites around the lake. By 2025, they were found at only two locations, representing just 5 per cent of the total area.

Footage shows members of the wildlife rescue team carefully measuring and weighing one of the salamanders.

David Hering, an aquatic ecologist at Crater Lake National Park, said: 'If we don't act now, the Mazama newt could disappear. We need to keep a population of these newts safe in human care while we work on a long-term solution to the invasive crayfish problem.'

Earlier in August, experts from universities, zoos, tribal communities, and wildlife agencies met at Crater Lake to draft a two-year emergency action plan. The strategy focuses on eradicating crayfish and maintaining a secure captive population of newts.

The zoo's lab mimics Crater Lake's unique water chemistry and temperature conditions to support the 19 rescued newts. Staff are monitoring them closely in the hope of successful breeding, with the long-term aim of reintroducing future generations to the wild.

Low added: 'We know how important this work is, and we're up to the challenge. With more newts disappearing every year, now is the time to act to save this species.'

The Mazama newt (Taricha granulosa mazamae) is a rare subspecies of rough-skinned newt found only in Crater Lake, Oregon. It is currently listed as Critically Endangered due to habitat pressure and predation by invasive species.