ELI5 Endangered Species - why are axolotls in pet stores?

How do researchers accurately estimate the population of endangered species in the wild? How can the axolotl be both critically endangered and readily available in pet stores? How did the giant panda get off the endangered list? What is the process of how a species is declared endangered? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: inkypaws, nephisimian, jeremy_martin, iprocrastina, breckenridgeback, kulalolk, shejesa and cosmic_gallant To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Send us an e-mail: [email protected]