The heat wave raging in Mexico since May has had a devastating effect on not just the local population, but local wildlife as well, particularly howler monkeys. In the Central American country’s southern states of Chiapas and Tabasco, temperatures have soared to over 45°C (113°F), causing significant distress and fatalities among the primates. Reports have indicated that at least 250 howler monkeys have died of the extreme heat, primarily from heat stroke and severe dehydration.
The monkeys, which are herbivores, play a crucial role in the ecosystem as dispersers of seed. They feed primarily on leaves, fruits, and flowers, and their dietary habits help to maintain the balance of plant species. By consuming a wide variety of vegetation, howler monkeys contribute to the health of their forest ecosystem.
Efforts to save the monkeys, a vulnerable species already under threat from deforestation, have been underway, with nonprofit organizations like Conservation of the Biodiversity of Usumacinta, or COBIUS, playing a major role. They managed to rescue and stabilize some of the monkeys, but many were found too late to be saved. The environmental crisis is exacerbated by a combination of factors, including the intense heat, drought, and possibly malnutrition and exposure to pesticides from crop fumigation.
The Mexican government, alongside civic groups and academics, is investigating the deaths to rule out diseases and viruses as potential causes. However, the primary culprit appears to be the unprecedented heat combined with a lack of water sources in the monkeys’ natural habitats.
This situation highlights the broader impact of climate change on wildlife and the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect vulnerable species from extreme weather events.
In addition to howler monkeys, the deaths of parrots, bats, and other animals at an animal park in northern Mexico highlights the widespread impact of the heat wave on Mexico’s diverse wildlife. These deaths are not only tragic but also indicate broader ecological vulnerabilities that need to be addressed.
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