At least 110 dolphins found dead in the Amazon
- October 1, 2023
- 0
minimum 110 specimens of two types Dolphin the river was found died in the Tefe Riverone of the river’s tributaries Amazonin unusual mortality due to still unknown causes,
minimum 110 specimens of two types Dolphin the river was found died in the Tefe Riverone of the river’s tributaries Amazonin unusual mortality due to still unknown causes, which experts attribute to the current drought and to record temperatures in the zone.
The “extreme and unusual” mortality was reported by the Mamirahua Institute for Sustainable Development, an institution affiliated with the Ministry of Science and Technology that develops sustainable development programs in Tefe, a city in the Brazilian state of Amazonas.
According to the organization, the deaths spread across several Amazon rivers, and in Lake Tefe alone, as the region where the river widens before entering the Amazon is known, 110 bodies have been collected since December 23 last year.
Most of them are specimens of the species. pink dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) but there are also specimens of this species tukuksi (Sotalia fluviatilis)river cetaceans in serious risk of extinction.
“It is too early to say the cause of this extreme mortality, but our experts believe it is definitely related to the current period of drought and high lake temperatures,” said Myriam Marmontel, leader of the aquatic mammal research team at the Center for Aquatic Mammal Research. This is stated in a statement from the institute.
They strive to save the animals that are still in the river.
The specialist said that the temperature was measured at a depth of up to three meters in Lake Tefe, which is usually 32 degrees Celsius, rose to 40 degrees in recent days.
The institute said it is concentrating its efforts on identifying the causes of mortality, as well as rescue the animals that are still in the lake.
Mortality has further increased the risk of extinction of these species. According to the latest census, in the 2010s, up to 900 pink dolphins and 500 tukuksi lived in the Tefe River area.
The severe drought that is punishing the Amazon, where water levels in its rivers are at rock bottom, also caused tons of fish to die last Wednesday in Lago do Piranha, a lagoon near Manaus, the Amazonas state capital and main city. of the largest tropical forests in the world.
The deaths are linked to plummeting river levels and record temperatures that are increasing the acidity of the waters.
The drought in the Amazon is one of the worst
The current drought in the Amazon, one of the worst in recent years, threatens supplies of food, fuel and even water to 60 of the state’s 62 municipalities.
About 80 million people are affected by the drought, which is expected to be more intense and prolonged this year as El Niño prevents cloud formation in the region, according to the Amazon Civil Defense.
The drought has also isolated 24 municipalities as falling river levels make it impossible for boats, the only means of transport, to reach areas where there are no roads or airstrips.
The fish deaths coincided with temperature records recorded in the Amazon.
In Manaus, thermometers reached 38.7 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, according to the National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet), making the city the hottest day of the year. (EFE)
Source: Aristegui Noticias
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