In southern Mexico, monkeys died due to scorching temperatures

A terrible massacre in southern Mexico. At least 83 howler monkeys have been found dead in the Mexican state of Tabasco, due to the extreme heat that hit the country nearly two months ago, according to calculations by the Environmental Protection Agency. guardian.

If the heat wave has already killed 26 people in the country, the raging heat wave in Mexico raises even more concern for these primates that usually cling to trees. In the town of Tecolutla, for example, the first dead bodies of these animals were seen on May 17, five of which were found in a garbage container.

They are deprived of water, shade and fruit

According to many experts, these deaths are due to a “combination” of factors linked to the heat wave: drought, forest fires and logging, which deprive the inhabitants of open areas of water, shade and the fruits on which they feed.

Thus, emergency services are working to try to rescue the macaques that did not succumb to the fever in this area. Fortunately, once monkeys are taken care of, they often get better. “They are recovering. They are aggressive… they are biting again,” Dr. Sergio Valenzuela told our colleagues.

Record temperature

On May 9, at least nine Mexican cities broke temperature records. For example, the town of Ciudad Victoria, in the border state of Tamaulipas, recorded a frightening temperature of 47 degrees Celsius.

Decreased rainfall and drying of lakes have put Mexican authorities on alert, prompting them to truck in water to supply hospitals or firefighters. Another consequence of this barren picture: power outages due to low levels of hydroelectric dams.