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Locals Report Monkey Deaths During Heat Wave in Mexico

An environmental group is warning that the hot weather in Mexico is among the causes of many deaths of howler monkeys.

Howler monkeys are big primates² known for the loud sound they make.

The Associated Press (AP) reported that the group Biodiversity Conservation of The Usumacinta said that at least 138 howler monkeys have been found dead. The deaths have taken place in the state of Tabasco on the Gulf³ of Mexico. Local people rescued others, including five that were rushed to a local veterinarian who tried to save them.

“They arrived in critical condition, with dehydration⁴ and fever,” said Sergio Valenzuela. "It was a heatstroke.”

Mexico's severe heat wave has been connected to the deaths of at least 26 people since March. Veterinarians and rescuers said it has killed tens or even hundreds of howler monkeys. The AP said that one third of the country reported high temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius⁵ on Tuesday.

In the town of Tecolutilla, Tabasco, dead monkeys started appearing in recent weeks. A local volunteer fire and rescue team recently brought in five of the creatures. Valenzuela told the AP that the volunteers “asked for help, they asked if I could examine some of the animals they had in their truck.”

The veterinarian put ice on their limp hands and feet. They were given fluid with nutrients⁶. The monkeys appeared to be recovering. “They're recovering. They're aggressive…they're biting again,” he said, noting that is a healthy sign.

Most are not so lucky. Wildlife biologist Gilberto Pozo counted about 138 of the animals dead or dying on the ground under trees. The deaths started in early May.

“They were in a state of severe dehydration, and they died within a matter of minutes,” Pozo said. Already weakened, the falls from dozens of meters high cause more damage that often finishes the monkeys off.

Pozo said there were several causes for the deaths, including high heat, drought, forest fires and logging. All of that leads to less water, shade, and fruit for the monkeys to eat. Pozo noted⁷ that it is also possible a disease is causing the deaths.

Pozo said the local people have tried to help the monkeys, especially babies. They see the young animals around their farms. But he said that can be dangerous.

The “babies are very delicate, they can't be in a house where there are dogs or cats” because they have diseases that can be deadly for howler monkeys, he said. After the monkeys recover, they must be released into the wild, Pozo added.

Pozo's group has set up special recovery stations for monkeys. It currently holds five monkeys, but birds and reptiles⁸ have also been affected⁹. He is also trying to organize a team of specialized¹⁰ veterinarians to give the primates the care they need.

Below-average rainfall across the country so far this year has caused lakes and water supplies to dry up. Officials have had to provide water for hospitals and fire fighters. Low water levels at hydroelectric dams have led to electricity outages, or blackouts, in some parts of the country.

Pozo said the death of the monkeys says a lot about the state of the whole ecosystem¹¹.

He told the AP: “It is telling us something about what is happening with climate change.”

Words in This Story

primate¹ –n. an order of mammals that includes monkeys and humans

veterinarian — n. a doctor who treats animals

critical –adj. very serious

dehydration — n. the state of not having enough water

dozens — n. (pl.) groups of 12

limp — adj. weak and unable to stand or move normally

drought — n. when there is not enough rain in an area for an extended period

delicate — adj. weak and unfirm

1 primate   

n.灵长类（目）动物，首席主教；adj.首要的

参考例句：

• 14 percent of primate species are highly endangered.14%的灵长类物种处于高度濒危状态。
• The woolly spider monkey is the largest primate in the Americas.绒毛蛛猴是美洲最大的灵长类动物。

2 primates   

primate的复数

参考例句：

• Primates are alert, inquisitive animals. 灵长目动物是机灵、好奇的动物。
• Consciousness or cerebration has been said to have emerged in the evolution of higher primates. 据说意识或思考在较高级灵长类的进化中已出现。

3 gulf   

n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂

参考例句：

• The gulf between the two leaders cannot be bridged.两位领导人之间的鸿沟难以跨越。
• There is a gulf between the two cities.这两座城市间有个海湾。

4 dehydration   

n.脱水，干燥

参考例句：

• He died from severe dehydration.他死于严重脱水。
• The eyes are often retracted from dehydration.眼睛常因脱水而凹陷。

5 Celsius   

adj.摄氏温度计的，摄氏的

参考例句：

• The temperature tonight will fall to seven degrees Celsius.今晚气温将下降到七摄氏度。
• The maximum temperature in July may be 36 degrees Celsius.七月份最高温度可能达到36摄氏度。

6 nutrients   

n.（食品或化学品）营养物，营养品( nutrient的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a lack of essential nutrients 基本营养的缺乏
• Nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. 营养素被吸收进血液。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

8 reptiles   

n.爬行动物，爬虫( reptile的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Snakes and crocodiles are both reptiles. 蛇和鳄鱼都是爬行动物。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Birds, reptiles and insects come from eggs. 鸟类、爬虫及昆虫是卵生的。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

9 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

10 specialized   

adj.专门的，专业化的

参考例句：

• There are many specialized agencies in the United Nations.联合国有许多专门机构。
• These tools are very specialized.这些是专用工具。

11 ecosystem   

n.生态系统

参考例句：

• This destroyed the ecosystem of the island.这样破坏了岛上的生态系统。
• We all have an interest in maintaining the integrity of the ecosystem.维持生态系统的完整是我们共同的利益。