Dozens of howler monkeys have fallen to their deaths from treetops in southern Mexico in recent weeks amid record temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
According to The New York Times, the deaths of these monkeys may be the latest warning sign of the dangers that extreme heat poses to wildlife around the world.
what’s happening?
The Times reported that 147 monkeys had died in the Mexican states of Tabasco and Chiapas as of late May, with residents finding clusters of 10 or more monkey corpses at a time, many of them showing signs of severe dehydration.
Gilberto Pozo, a biologist monitoring the forests of the city of Cunduacan, saw two howler monkeys fall from a tree in front of him in early May.
“They were dehydrated and were treated,” he told The New York Times, “but they did not survive.”
Why are wildlife deaths a concern?
This is not an isolated event: As global temperatures continue to break records, scientists have recently documented mass die-offs of Amazon dolphins and widespread bleaching of coral reefs around the world.
Heat and drought are drying up the leaves and streams that the monkeys rely on for vital hydration, and rampant deforestation in the region is shrinking the tropical forests the monkeys live in, reducing shade, food and water.
“Animals are the guardians of the ecosystem, so they’re warning us. If they’re unwell, it’s because something’s going on,” Pozo said, according to the Times. These deaths show that worsening climate conditions are threatening not just wildlife, but the delicate balance of nature on which we all depend.
What is being done to prevent wildlife deaths?
Scientists are forming a working group to establish protocols to help the suffering monkeys, The Times reported. They are also seeking funding to study the root causes of these mass deaths.
Meanwhile, Mexican nonprofit and academic organizations are caring for the surviving monkeys, rehydrating and treating more than a dozen at a clinic in Cunduacan, where Pozo first saw the animals fall, and some are recovering.
Most importantly, this solemn event is a call to action for all of us: the simple choices we make every day, like conserving water and protecting green spaces, create a world in which both humans and animals thrive.
Increased global warming is affecting every living thing on Earth. But we have the power to make a difference if we work together to implement earth-friendly solutions in our lives and communities. One sustainable shift at a time, we can create a cooler future for the amazing creatures with whom we share our home.
Sign up for our free newsletter Cool News and Cool Tips simply Please eat it. While helping the planet.
