I would say one should have a very strong irrigation system.

Brutal heat wave in Mexico: monkeys fall dead from trees

At least 83 howler monkeys were found dead in the state of Tabasco due to the heat wave that is hitting Mexico. Others were rescued by neighbors.

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Howler monkeys die due to the heat wave in Mexico.

A brutal heat wave shaking Mexico has caused several howler monkeys to fall dead from trees. The event occurred in the Tabasco town of Tecolutilla, in the state of Tabasco, where residents tried to help the animals and rescued those who were still alive.

In this way, five of the monkeys were transferred to a local veterinarian who fought to save them. According to the professional, the animals arrived at the scene in a "critical condition, with dehydration and fever" and that they were "flaccid like rags."

Dead howler monkeys in Mexico.

When local residents began to notice what was happening to the animals, a volunteer fire brigade showed up and moved the five monkeys into the bed of the truck. Veterinarian Sergio Valenzuela told The Associated Press what it was like when the animals arrived: "They asked me for help and asked if I could examine them."

At that time, the doctor put ice on their hands and feet and connected them to IVs with electrolytes. "They are recovering. They are aggressive, they are biting again," he said.

For his part, biologist Gilberto Pozo stated that the monkeys "fell from the trees like apples" and that "they were in a state of severe dehydration and died in a matter of minutes." In addition, he attributed their deaths to heat, drought, forest fires and logging, which leaves them without shade, fruit and water.

Due to the situation, the biologist's group has created a special recovery station for monkeys. For its part, the Government recognized the problem late and President Andrés Manuel López Obrador assured that he found out what is happening with the monkeys on Monday of this week.

The characteristics of the howler monkey

This species has large jaws, teeth and fangs. Its name has to do with its roar, since it is similar to that of lions. Some males can weigh more than 13.5 kg and live up to 20 years.

For the inhabitants of Tabasco, the howler monkey is a highly prized species. The inhabitants claim that the monkeys tell them the time of day by howling in the morning and at night.

Heat wave in Mexico

Mexico is going through a heat wave and is preparing for even higher temperatures, which according to experts could be the warmest in history and generate high levels of pollution.

Researchers from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) indicated that "in the next 10 or 15 days, the country will experience the highest temperatures recorded in history" and noted that the heat "could generate high levels of pollutants due to the presence of ozone".

The heat is also worsening the effects of the drought, which already affects more than 70% of the national territory, according to data from the National Water Commission. The strong temperatures, up to above 50° Celsius, are affecting the nation's fauna and could be the cause of howler monkeys that have fallen dead from trees in some tropical areas of the southeast of the country.

"It is very likely that 2024 will be the warmest year on record," added the experts from the Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate Change and the UNAM Climate Change Research Program.

Regards,

Use of straw mulches, shade nets and giving adequate irrigation in the morning may reduce the effect of excessive heats during the daytime.

Varun Athokpam

Laura Baena

Sachin Suknunan

Thank you very much for your valuable insights.