Elham Shirin

Elham Shirin is a narrative journalist and researcher covering stories about nature and culture. Follow her on Bluesky @eshirin.bsky.social.

Stories from Elham Shirin

A green achoque salamander looks directly into the camera from its tank, displaying its gills that resemble a mane.

In Mexico, Scientists, Neighbors and Nuns Come Together to Save the Last Achoque Salamanders

Mexican conservationists, Dominican nuns, and scientists from the U.K.-based nonprofit Chester Zoo are working to save the critically-endangered achoque salamander, a natural wonder that’s notoriously difficult to track.

December 8, 2025