BRUTAL HEATWAVE CAUSES MONKEYS IN MEXICO TO ‘FALLING OUT OF TREES LIKE APPLES’

Wed 22 May 2024:

Since March, Mexico’s severe heatwave has been linked to the deaths of at least 26 people and has also resulted in the deaths of dozens, possibly hundreds, of howler monkeys, according to veterinarians and rescuers. At least 83 howler monkeys, known for their loud calls, have been found dead in the Gulf coast state of Tabasco. Some monkeys were rescued by locals, with five taken to a veterinarian for emergency treatment.

Dr. Sergio Valenzuela, who treated the rescued monkeys, described their critical condition: “They arrived in critical condition, with dehydration and fever,” he said. “They were as limp as rags. It was heatstroke.”

In the town of Tecolutilla, dead monkeys began appearing on Friday, when a volunteer fire-and-rescue team brought in five suffering monkeys. Valenzuela used ice and IV drips in an attempt to revive them.

However, many were not so fortunate. Wildlife biologist Gilberto Pozo reported finding around 83 dead or dying monkeys under trees, noting that the die-off began around May 5 and peaked over the weekend. “They were falling out of the trees like apples,” Pozo said. “They were in a state of severe dehydration, and they died within a matter of minutes.” He added that the falls from the trees, combined with their weakened state, often proved fatal.

By May 9, at least nine cities in Mexico had set temperature records, with Ciudad Victoria in Tamaulipas reaching a scorching 117F (47C). The country has experienced below-average rainfall this year, leading to drying lakes and dams, depleted water supplies, and authorities having to truck in water for hospitals and firefighting efforts. Low water levels at hydroelectric dams have also caused power blackouts in some areas.

Pozo attributes the monkey deaths to a combination of extreme heat, drought, forest fires, and logging, which have deprived the animals of water, shade, and food. Pozo’s group has established recovery stations for the affected wildlife, currently housing five monkeys, and is working to assemble a team of specialized veterinarians to provide the necessary care.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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