In a grim manifestation of the escalating climate crisis, over a hundred Amazonian river dolphins have been found dead, raising concerns about the survival threshold of species in vulnerable regions.
A Disturbing Sight
Lake Tefé, once a thriving aquatic habitat, has turned into a scene of devastation. The lake’s waters, now resembling a hot bath due to an extended drought, have revealed the floating bodies of the endangered dolphins and thousands of dead fish.
Local residents of Tefé, located in the Amazonas state, are in shock. Daniel Tregidgo, a British researcher residing in the area, shared his distress, “Regular sightings of pink river dolphins are one of the great privileges of living in the heart of the Amazon… To see piles of carcasses, knowing that this drought has killed over 100, is a tragedy.”
Searching for Answers
While several factors, including potential disease outbreaks and sewage contamination, are being explored as causes for the mass mortality, the extreme water conditions are emerging as a primary concern. Ayan Fleischmann, a geoscience researcher at the Mamirauá Institute, highlighted the alarming water temperature, noting, “At 6pm yesterday, in Lake Tefé we measured more than 39C (102.2F). This is very hot, horrible.” To put this in perspective, 37C is the temperature of a hot bath for humans.
A Wider Climate Crisis
Brazil, like many parts of the world, is grappling with extreme weather events, a direct result of human-induced climate change and the El Niño phenomenon. While the southern regions of the country are inundated with torrential rainfalls, the north is experiencing a severe dry spell.
The Amazon River, the world’s largest, has seen a daily drop of 30cm in its water levels over the past fortnight. Typically, during this period, the river’s depth in Manaus is around 4.4 meters below its rainy season peak. However, this year, it has plummeted by a staggering 7.4 meters, a situation that local biologists are calling “absurd”.
In conclusion, the tragic death of the Amazonian dolphins serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the global climate crisis. As ecosystems continue to be disrupted, the survival of many species hangs in the balance.
Also learn about New York City Grapples with Historic Flooding: State of Emergency Declared.
