Howler monkeys are dropping dead in Mexico, and officials announced on Monday (May 20) that they are investigating whether extreme heat is responsible for the deaths of these endangered species.
The Environment Ministry indicated that possible causes being examined include “heat stroke, dehydration, malnutrition, or pesticide fumigation of crops.” They also mentioned that investigations would be conducted to rule out the presence of a virus or disease.
Temperatures reaching up to 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) have been documented in the southern states of Chiapas and Tabasco, where the howler monkeys have died.
Although the government did not specify the number of monkeys that have died, the Tabasco-based wildlife preservation group COBIUS reported “mass deaths.”
“It’s very likely due to climatic reasons, but we cannot rule out other important causes,” it said in a statement.
“If you see monkeys that are weak and suffering from heat or dehydration, please try to hoist a bucket of water by rope for them to drink,” it added.
Over 40% of land vertebrates are at risk from extreme heat
New research has warned that by the end of the century, over 40 percent of land vertebrates will be threatened by extreme heat if high emissions continue, with rare, extreme temperatures becoming common.
The study indicates that reptiles, birds, amphibians, and mammals are increasingly facing extreme heat events in terms of frequency, duration, and intensity due to human-induced global warming.
According to the paper published in Nature, under a high emissions scenario leading to 4.4°C warming, 41 percent of land vertebrates will encounter extreme thermal events by 2099.
