Unprecedented Tragedy: Over 100 Dolphins Perish in Scorching 102°F Amazon Waters

Over the past week, the Mamirauã Institute, a research facility funded by the Brazilian Ministry of Science, has discovered the lifeless bodies of over a hundred dolphins in Lake Tefé, situated in the midst of the Brazilian Amazon. This alarming occurrence is a direct result of the ongoing historically severe drought and the excessively high water temperatures, surpassing 102 degrees Fahrenheit in certain areas.

The institute attributed the unusually high number of deaths to record-high lake temperatures and an unprecedented drought in the Amazon. This news is expected to further alarm climate scientists, highlighting the negative impact of human activity and extreme droughts on the region.

"It is too early to determine the exact cause of this extreme event. However, our experts strongly believe that it is closely linked to the ongoing drought and the high temperatures recorded in Lake Tefé. In certain areas, temperatures have surpassed 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit)," stated the institute to CNN affiliate CNN Brasil. Moreover, the Amazon River, the largest waterway in the world, is presently experiencing the dry season, resulting in numerous instances of river fauna being adversely affected by unprecedented high temperatures.

A severe drought is threatening the Amazon river.

Researchers and activists are facing challenges in their efforts to relocate surviving dolphins from lagoons and ponds in the outskirts to the main section of the river, where the temperature of the water is cooler. CNN Brasil reported that the operation is hindered by the remote location of the area.

"According to André Coelho, a researcher at the Mamiraua Institute, transferring river dolphins to different rivers is not a completely safe process. It is crucial to first conduct a thorough examination to determine the presence of toxins or viruses before releasing these animals back into the wild. Moreover, the drought in the Amazon region is also having significant impacts on the economy."

Insufficient water levels have been observed in 59 municipalities situated in the state of Amazonas, hampering both transportation and fishing operations along the river.

Anticipating even more severe droughts in the upcoming weeks, authorities warn of the potential for additional dolphin fatalities, as reported by CNN Brasil.