In the Gulf Coast state of Tabasco, at least 138 howler monkeys, renowned for their powerful vocalizations, have been found dead since May 16, as reported by the Biodiversity Conservation of The Usumacinta group. Residents have managed to rescue some of these primates, including five that were urgently taken to a veterinarian who fought to save their lives.
“They arrived in critical condition, with dehydration and fever,” said Dr. Sergio Valenzuela. “They were as limp as rags. It was heatstroke.”
The extreme heat wave in Mexico has been devastating, contributing to the deaths of at least 26 people since March and posing a severe threat to wildlife. Temperatures soared to 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in about a third of the country on Tuesday.
In Tecolutilla, Tabasco, the crisis was evident on Friday when local volunteers arrived with five dead monkeys in a truck. Normally intimidating with their muscular build and lion-like roars, howler monkeys are struggling to survive the heat. Males can reach up to 90 centimeters (3 feet) tall, with tails of the same length, and weigh over 13.5 kilograms (30 pounds). They can live up to 20 years and are equipped with large jaws and formidable teeth.
“The volunteers asked if I could examine some of the animals they had in their truck,” Valenzuela recalled. “They didn’t have any money and asked if I could do it for free.”
Valenzuela treated the monkeys by applying ice to their limbs and administering IV fluids with electrolytes. These efforts have helped some monkeys recover, as they are now showing signs of aggression, a positive indicator of their health.
Unfortunately, not all have been so fortunate. Wildlife biologist Gilberto Pozo reported that approximately 138 monkeys have been found dead or dying under trees since May 5, with the peak occurring over the weekend.
“They were falling out of the trees like apples,” Pozo said. “They were in a state of severe dehydration and died within minutes.” The falls from high branches added to their injuries, often resulting in death.
Pozo attributes the deaths to a combination of high heat, drought, forest fires, and logging, which deprives the monkeys of water, shade, and food. While a pathogen or disease hasn’t been ruled out, these environmental stresses are the primary suspects.
For the people of Tabasco, the howler monkey is a cherished symbol, known for their dawn and dusk howls. Local residents have tried to help by providing water and food, but Pozo cautions against adopting baby monkeys due to their vulnerability to domestic pathogens.
Pozo’s group has established recovery stations for affected wildlife and is organizing specialized veterinary care for the monkeys. Despite the dire situation, the federal government only acknowledged the issue on Monday, with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador praising Valenzuela’s efforts and promising support.
López Obrador admitted, “I have never felt it as bad as this,” but noted the numerous human problems also demanding attention. By May 9, at least nine cities in Mexico had set temperature records, with Ciudad Victoria in Tamaulipas reaching 47 degrees Celsius (117 degrees Fahrenheit).
The ongoing heatwave has caused water shortages, forcing authorities to truck in water supplies. The nationwide chain OXXO has even limited ice purchases to ensure availability for more customers.
For the howler monkeys, the situation is dire. “This is a sentinel species,” Pozo said, indicating that their plight is a warning sign of broader climate issues. “It is telling us something about what is happening with climate change.”
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