HOWLER MONKEYS DIE FROM INTENSE HEAT

The high temperatures that have occurred in Tabasco have caused the death of at least 10 howler monkeysso residents organize to bring them water, food, and in some cases, rescue them.

The greatest crisis for these animals has been recorded in the Buena Vista ranch, in the municipality of Comalcalconear the archaeological zone, where the biologist Silvia Santos explains that, when they run out of water, the animals become dehydrated and fall fainting from heights, which is when they break a bone or lose their life.

“Private vans are operating as veterinary ambulances. Here we are working with veterinarians of the area, with the Desafío Experience association. Unfortunately, this morning, [ayer] We buried 10 specimens in the Buena Vista ejido. We put two water pipes on the trees to feed them and the babies were protected,” describes the specialist for THE UNIVERSAL.

Read also: There are 27 deaths due to heat in the country

The residents, along with volunteer biologists and veterinarians, have organized to rescue as many howler monkeys as possible and have transferred them to the municipal hospital, where they are stabilized and treated.

“Yesterday we had five success stories and we believe that we could continue to continue in this way, giving it the greatest possible support. At this moment there is only Civil Protection, Desafío Experience, veterinary doctors from the Juárez Autonomous University of Tabasco (UJAT)who have joined, and of course the main stars and heroes are the ejidatarios themselves, the people who live in the area,” he details.

Biologist Silvia Santos called on the population to donate water, serum and to go to the area where the monkeys are to save them. He clarifies that the death of these animals is due to the heat, although they are becoming studies to determine some other factor.

Read also: Heat Wave in Mexico: when will the third wave of high temperatures be and which states will it affect?

The rescue tasks are between the jungle and cocoa farms. In many cases, to rescue howler monkeys, residents climb trees to bring them food. At the same time municipal Civil Protection use pipes to throw water and cool the areas where families of primates take refuge.

The biologist says that she has been working in the Comalcalco area for four years and had not had a similar eventand reports that the crisis due to this heat wave began two weeks ago.

Mrs. Lorena Ventura, who lives in the area, details that the 10 monkeys that died had their hands extended, as a sign that they they were asking for helpthat is why he asks for everyone’s support to save them.

Experts indicate that they have not seen a crisis like this in more than four years. Photo: Luma López EL UNIVERSAL

Until now, no agency like the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) or the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) have come forward to help the residents in this campaign that has begun to prevent more deaths of these species.

Specialists explain that these dehydrated animals have been found. Photo: Luma López

The Secretariat of Environment and Natural History (Semahn) of Chiapas reported that the death of at least 12 specimens of howler monkeys, which occurred in the municipalities of Juárez and Pichucalco, in the north of the state, is being investigated. Some versions attributed the death of these specimens to the heat that has exceeded 42 degrees in the entity.

In this regard, the state agency indicated in a statement that it has information about the case and is working with competent authorities, including the National Agri-Food Safety and Quality Service and the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection.

“The effort is to carry out investigations and studies corresponding to the environments and the specimens to determine the causes of the death of the mammals.”

The residents of Comalcalco prepare the food and water that they will take to the howler monkeys in the Buena Vista ranch. Photo: Luma López EL UNIVERSAL

Read also: Self-care measures in the face of high temperatures in Chiapas

Versions from locals who know the regional fauna in the lower area of ​​Juárez, in the Nicolás Bravo ranchería first and second section and other points in the northern region, indicate that it is a environmental zone of natural regulatory vessels that house wildlife, but high temperatures have occurred due to the severity of the dry season in the area and the death of more saraguato monkeys in the area has not been ruled out.