Rescued spider monkey lives happily at local zoo
A group of spider monkeys have been spotted thriving at the San Diego Zoo in California. The three monkeys were captured during an illegal smuggling attempt at the Mexican border and brought to the zoo when they were just two months old.
- The number of howler monkey deaths from heat in Mexico has risen to 157.
- A zoo in northern Mexico confirmed that more than 100 birds, including parrots, toucans and bats, had died from dehydration.
- Wildlife biologists said the cause of death appears to be heat stroke.
According to the Mexican government, 157 howler monkeys have died from the heat, and the number of primates who have been treated or recovered is woefully low.
Meanwhile, a zoo in northern Mexico confirmed it had received reports of at least 100 parrots, bats and other animals having died from dehydration.
A heat dome, an area of strong high pressure centered over the southern Gulf of Mexico and northern Central America, prevented cloud formation, bringing widespread sunshine and warming temperatures across Mexico.
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Last week, environmentalists reported that 138 of the medium-sized primates, known for their roaring cries, had been found dead in the Gulf Coast state of Tabasco since May 16. Maximum temperatures are expected to reach 113 degrees Fahrenheit across nearly two-thirds of the country on Monday.
The Environment Ministry reported late Sunday that the death toll had risen to 157 and that investigations into the causes of death were continuing.
Wildlife biologist Gilberto Pozo said the monkeys’ deaths were likely caused by heatstroke, a “synergistic effect” of high temperatures, drought, forest fires and deforestation that deprive the monkeys of water, shade and fruit to eat, but said pathogens, disease and other factors could not be ruled out.
A veterinarian feeds a rescued young howler monkey during extremely hot weather in Tecortilla, Tabasco, Mexico, May 21, 2024. Dozens of howler monkeys have been found dead in the Gulf Coast state. (AP Photo/Luis Sanchez)
Thirteen monkeys were being treated for dehydration and seven had been released back into their habitat, the agency said, adding that some were in serious but stable condition and that the deaths had occurred in both Tabasco and neighboring Chiapas states.
But the trees in which the howler monkeys live are suffering from heat, fire and deforestation, and it was unclear whether releasing the monkeys would guarantee their survival.
Ena Buenfil, director of the Selva Teaneck Ecopark in the northern state of San Luis Potosí, told The Associated Press on Monday that parrots, bats and toucans had died from the heat and the facility was overwhelmed.
Buenfil said when the heatwave began in mid-May, animal rescue clinics quickly became overwhelmed with sick birds and locals reported finding dead and distressed birds.
Buenfil said the number of animals affected was probably only a small percent of the total because authorities had limited resources, but added that his organization was working with the Civil Conservation Agency to save some of the birds.
Buenfil said birds are often disproportionately affected because they die mainly from dehydration caused by the heat and have nowhere to store water. Bats, on the other hand, become dehydrated while sleeping in the afternoon heat. She encouraged locals to put out bowls of water for the animals.
“We’ve never seen anything like what’s happening now,” she said, adding that if the current heatwaves continue “there’s not much we can do for the animals”.
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“If the trend of heat waves continues in this region, it will cause a lot of damage to the ecosystem,” Buenfil said.
Typically quite intimidating, howler monkeys are muscular and can grow up to three feet tall, with tails of a similar length. Male howler monkeys can weigh more than 30 pounds and live up to 20 years. They have large jaws and fearsome teeth and fangs. However, howler monkeys are primarily known for their lion-like roars, which belie their size.
Much of the country has experienced below-normal rainfall so far this year, causing lakes and dams to dry up and water resources to run dry, forcing authorities to truck in water for everything from hospitals to firefighters. Low water levels in hydroelectric dams have caused power outages in parts of the country.
