How monkeys are dropping dead amid Mexico’s intense heatwave – Firstpost

As temperatures soar in Mexico, a tragic phenomenon is occurring in the country’s tropical forests: howler monkeys, iconic residents of the region, are falling dead from trees.

A biodiversity group estimates hundreds of primates have been found dead in the Gulf coast state of Tabasco since early May. Many of them are rescued by locals in critical condition with fever and dehydration.

The mantled howler monkeys are classified as “vulnerable” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

As the brutal heatwave continues to ravage the South American country, locals are doing everything they can to save the monkeys.

Mass extinction of “endangered” monkeys

According to the Biodiversity Conservation of The Usumacinta group, at least 138 of the medium-sized primates known for their roaring vocal calls have been found dead since May 16. In Tabasco, a local volunteer fire and rescue team showed up with five of the creatures in the back of the truck.

Unprecedented temperatures are exceeding the monkeys’ tolerance limits. Around a third of the country is affected by a brutal heatwave, with temperatures rising to highs of 45 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.

Several primates are sick and are being nursed back to health. “They (monkeys) arrived in critical condition, with dehydration and fever,” said Dr. Sergio Valenzuela the Associated Press (AP)“They were limp like rags. It was heat stroke,” he added.

He put ice on her limp hands and feet and hooked her up to IV fluids. “They are recovering. They are aggressive and bite again,” he said, noting that this is a healthy sign for the animals.

While most of the monkeys in Valenzuela’s office are now doing well, many of them in the forests aren’t so lucky. A source at the Tabasco Civil Protection Agency said Reuters that monkey deaths have now been confirmed in three communities in the state, with dehydration being a cause.

The Tabasco Civil Defense Institute said authorities and conservationists are conducting patrols to offer the monkeys water and food, especially fruit, to maintain their hydration levels.

The heat is to blame

Wildlife biologist Gilberto Pozo told the story AP that the monkey die-off began on May 5 and peaked last weekend. “This is a sentinel species,” Pozo said, referring to the canary-in-a-coal-mine effect, where one species can say a lot about an ecosystem. “It tells us something about what’s happening with climate change.”

“They fell like apples from the trees,” Pozo said. “They were severely dehydrated and died within minutes,” he added.

On Monday, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who is also from Tabasco, responded to the situation, saying: “It’s because the heat is so intense.” I’ve been visiting the state for a long time and have never seen it like this strongly felt like now.”

“So yes, we have to take care of the animals and yes, we will,” he added.

Later that day, Mexico’s Environment Ministry said it was coordinating efforts to address the monkeys’ deaths. It attributed the deaths to several likely causes, including “heat stroke, dehydration, malnutrition or the spraying of fields with toxic agricultural chemicals.”

With below-normal rainfall across most of the country this year, lakes and dams in Mexico are drying up and water reserves are depleting. As of May 9, at least nine cities in Mexico experienced record high temperatures, with 26 people dying due to heat-related problems.

With input from agencies

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