The wildlife of the Sogamoso rivers and the El Llanito swamp, in the Magdalena Medio of Santander, were the most affected by the low levels of their flows during the dry season, which in this area of the country was felt harshly in the first three months. of the year.
The Magdalena Medio region was not immune to the effects produced by the drought and the El Niño phenomenon that hit this area of the country in the first three months of the year. This region, which covers parts of the departments of Antioquia, Boyacá, Santander and Cesar, is known for its rich fauna, which includes numerous species of birds, mammals and reptiles, many of them endemic or in danger of extinction.
The lack of rain silently hit wildlife in this area of the country.
Hydric species
One of the most visible effects of the dry season is the significant reduction in the flow of rivers and wetlands, critical habitats for many species. The Magdalena River, which gives life to the entire region, saw its water levels decrease and therefore fishing production was affected, as confirmed by Felipe Guerra, director of the National Fisheries Authority in Magdalena Medio, Aunap.
“Fishing landings were reduced in the main collection centers, by interrupting the migratory and reproductive processes of rheophilic species; On this date, the first reproductive “downturn” takes place; it generally occurs during the months of March, April and May; However, the rains that have occurred are very little and the species take advantage of the increased flow to spawn; This phenomenon will have an impact on next year’s landings,” the official explained.
The affected species are the bocachico, the striped catfish, the nicuro, the capable, the comelón and the vizcaína, animals of greatest fishing and commercial importance.
As in the Magdalena, species from the Sogamoso River that runs through municipalities such as Sabana de Torres and Puerto Wilches (Santander), were also affected. This, according to James Murillo, director of the Cabildo Verde Foundation, was due to the extreme summer that was accentuated by other factors such as human intervention in the water basin and the impact of the Sogamoso Hydroelectric Plant.
“The river was lowered and sandy beaches were created, fish, turtles and iguanas and slugs arrived to spawn and at any time, Isagen requires more energy generation; then they open with doors to be able to generate more energy and those beaches fill with water and the eggs of all the animals that spawned there were lost (…) the animals know that there is a dry season and they have genetically predesigned themselves to carry out their biological reproduction processes , but since we have already changed the entire dynamic, the species that depend on this ecosystem are directly impacted,” he explained.
Another critical situation was recorded in the El Llanito de Barrancabermeja swamp, which also connects with the Sogamoso and is part of the impact area of the Hydroelectric Plant. There, according to the residents, the body of water has dried up by more than 70% today, its levels only reach 30 centimeters.
“There are a whole series of factors that have caused sedimentation, plus the effect of summer, which has meant that today the El Llanito swamp is only 30 centimeters deep. In the case of fish, we are entering a crisis level, because the sediment has covered the natural foods and there are a number of fish that are not growing,” said Juan Tercero Gamarra, leader of the fishermen in El Llanito.
According to a study carried out by the Humboldt Institute, in the lower Sogamoso River Basin alone, the habitat of 91 species of fish has been identified, including tilefish, catfish, and bocachico, among others.
The tragedy after a fire in the water circuit
One of the most serious environmental tragedies in the region occurred in the surroundings of the San Silvestre canal watershed in Barrancabermeja, on the occasion of a forest fire that consumed more than 2,000 hectares, of which 65% was for agricultural use and a 35% primary forest.
“There we have the presence of wildlife; “The most affected by this sinister event were the turtles and reptiles, whose bodies were found the most. At this moment, we are in the process of in-depth evaluation of the affected area,” said the secretary of the environment of Barrancabermeja.
Manatees at risk
Aquatic species such as the Antillean manatee were faced with the reduction of their feeding and breeding areas, which complicated their reproductive cycles and survival; This has raised alarm bells regarding the protection and preservation of this endangered species.
“We are concerned about the manatee’s life corridor. This has been directly affected by the intense summer. We have had two deaths so far this year; We are waiting for the results of the necropsy of the last individual, which is the smallest baby. The first necropsy gave us a result of malnutrition and the presence of pesticides in his body,” said Ludwing Gómez, secretary of the environment of Barrancabermeja.
According to the Magdalena Medio Stranding Network, during the first months of the year the death of three manatees has been reported in the San Silvestre channel of Barrancabermeja and a pond in Puerto Wilches and although there is no scientific information that allows us to associate these deaths with the drought; It has been detected that cases of silting increase during this time, caused by low water levels.
“Being able to discover the cause of death depends on so many variables, especially the degree of decomposition of the animals. Every time we have a dead person it is a challenge and it is the opportunity to know a little more, if the body does not allow it then the case of the live animals was a challenge that allowed us to identify that the animals were in stress due to the condition of drought yes, they were not thin, but they were already beginning to show certain health problems due to the drought and frequent exposure to the sun,” he explained.
The beginning of the rainy season has sparked hope for preservation for these species; as well as for fishermen who depend on the economy that revolves around the swamps and rivers.
