Brasilia: In a distressing turn of events, more than 100 dolphins have perished in the Brazilian Amazon within the past week. The cause of this tragedy is attributed to an unprecedented drought and soaring water temperatures, with reports indicating temperatures reaching 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
These dolphins were discovered in Lake Tefe, as reported by the Mamiraua Institute, a research institution funded by the Brazilian Ministry of Science. The institute has suggested that the record-high temperatures in the lake, coupled with the ongoing historic drought in the Amazon region, may be the root cause of this unusually high number of deaths.
The Amazon River, the world’s largest waterway, is currently experiencing its dry season, and various species of river fauna are grappling with these exceptionally high temperatures. This incident further raises concerns among climate scientists about the detrimental impacts of human activities and extreme droughts on the region.
The Mamiraua Institute stated, “It’s still early to determine the cause of this extreme event but according to our experts, it is certainly connected to the drought period and high temperatures in Lake Tefé, in which some points are exceeding 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit).”
Efforts are underway to rescue surviving dolphins by relocating them from lagoons and ponds in remote areas to the main body of the river, where the water is comparatively cooler. However, this operation is fraught with challenges due to the remoteness of the region.
Andre Coelho, a researcher at the Mamiraua Institute, explained, “Transferring river dolphins to other rivers is not that safe because it’s important to verify if toxins or viruses are present (before releasing the animals into the wild).”
Additionally, 59 municipalities in Amazonas State have reported below-average water levels, affecting transportation and fishing activities on the river. Authorities anticipate that even more severe droughts over the next few weeks may lead to additional dolphin deaths, exacerbating the economic impact of the ongoing Amazon drought.
