It was so hot, dead monkeys fell from the trees

JAKARTA – Heat waves hit various countries in the world. The impact is not only on humans but also animals in the wild. Endangered howler monkeys, for example, have fallen dead from trees in the tropical forests of southeastern Mexico in recent weeks.

This was triggered by soaring air temperatures in most areas of the country. In Tabasco state, where temperatures are expected to exceed 45 degrees Celsius this week, local media reported 85 howler monkey deaths. Meanwhile local authorities confirmed the trend without providing an exact death toll.

Reporting from Asia One, Monday (27/5/2025) in a statement last weekend, the Tabasco Civil Protection agency linked the death to dehydration. Sources from the agency told Reuters that monkey deaths had been confirmed in three municipalities in the state.

In the forest outside Camalcalco, Tabasco, volunteers collect the carcasses of coated howler monkeys (alouatta palliata) that died due to high temperatures. They then placed buckets filled with water and fruit to try to prevent more deaths.

“It’s because the heat is so intense. I’ve been visiting this state for a long time and I’ve never felt it this hot,” said Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who is from Tabasco, when asked about the monkey’s death.

“So, yes, we should care about animals and yes, we will,” he said.

Mexico’s Environment Ministry said in a statement it was coordinating efforts to address the monkey deaths. They attributed the deaths to several possible reasons, including heat wave dehydration, malnutrition, or spraying plants with toxic agricultural chemicals.

Mexico is also home to the Yucatan howler monkey, which due to deforestation is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. The Mexican Ministry of Health reported that 26 people died due to heat factors between the start of Mexico’s summer season on March 17 and May 11, 2024.

(msf)