Over 100 Dolphins Perish in Brazilian Amazon Amid Rising Water Temperatures

In the past week, the Brazilian Amazon has witnessed the demise of over 100 dolphins, with experts warning that more fatalities are imminent should water temperatures continue to escalate. The situation has been exacerbated by a severe drought affecting the region.

The Mamiraua Institute, affiliated with Brazil’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, reported the discovery of two additional deceased dolphins on Monday in the vicinity of Tefe Lake, a critical habitat for both mammals and fish. Footage supplied by the institute depicted scavenging vultures feasting on the stranded dolphin remains. Local media have also noted the mass mortality of thousands of fish in the area.

Specialists point to elevated water temperatures as the probable catalyst for the widespread fatalities among the lake’s aquatic inhabitants. Recorded temperatures in the Tefe Lake area have surpassed 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit) since last week.

Last week, the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation, a governmental organization responsible for managing conservation zones, disclosed that it had dispatched squads of veterinarians and experts on aquatic mammals to probe the causes of these deaths.

Miriam Marmontel, a researcher with the Mamiraua Institute, indicated that Tefe Lake had been home to an estimated 1,400 river dolphins. “Within just a week, we’ve seen a loss of approximately 120 animals, which could account for 5% to 10% of the entire population,” Marmontel stated.

Since last week, workers have been recovering dolphin carcasses in a region where drought has not only affected aquatic life but also severely impacted impoverished communities living along the rivers, stranding their boats. In response to the dire situation, Wilson Lima, the Governor of Amazonas, declared a state of emergency due to the ongoing drought.

Nicson Marreira, the mayor of Tefe—a city with a population of 60,000—announced that his administration has faced challenges in distributing food to certain isolated communities owing to the desiccated river conditions.

Ayan Fleischmann, Geospatial Coordinator at the Mamiraua Institute, underscored the severe repercussions of the drought on riverside communities in the Amazon. “Numerous communities are becoming increasingly isolated, lacking access to potable water and to the river, their primary mode of transportation,” he commented.

Fleischmann also noted a significant increase in water temperatures, which climbed from 32 degrees Celsius (89 degrees Fahrenheit) on Friday to nearly 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) by Sunday. While investigations are ongoing, he reiterated that elevated water temperatures remain the leading suspect in the spate of dolphin fatalities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Dolphin Deaths in Brazilian Amazon

More about Dolphin Deaths in Brazilian Amazon

• Mamiraua Institute Research Publications
• Brazil’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Official Website
• Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation Updates
• Amazonas State Government Press Releases
• Tefe City Government Official Statements
• World Wildlife Fund on Amazon Aquatic Life
• Climate Impact Studies in the Amazon
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species: River Dolphins
• Scientific Reports on Rising Water Temperatures and Aquatic Life
• United Nations Climate Change Impact Assessments