150 howler monkeys have died in southern Mexico as temperatures soar over 37°C.
As Mexico battles intense temperatures, wildlife is feeling the heat. Residents are finding dozens of distressed and dehydrated howler monkeys fallen from trees. Many have been unable to survive despite receiving treatment.
While howler monkeys are typically very resilient, "The animals are sending us a warning," says biologist Gilberto Pozo, "If they are unwell, it’s because something is happening."
While these deaths are still being investigated, scientists hypothesize it is likely to do with more extreme temperatures coupled with other man-made threats, like deforestation and fires, all of which have cornered monkeys with little elsewhere to go and fewer protections.
Beyond monkeys, scientists have documented other alarming consequences of rising global temperatures, including record-breaking coral bleaching events and dolphin die-offs.
