TEFÉ, Brazil - As smoke from thousands of forest fires rises over the Amazon basin, researcher Miriam Marmontel of the Mamirauá Institute for Sustainable Development is growing increasingly concerned. Brazil is experiencing the worst drought in its history and the conditions are similar to the devastating events of last year. Water levels in the Amazon basin have fallen to record lows and temperatures are approaching the levels that led to the mass extinction of endangered river dolphins a year ago.
In 2023, water temperatures in Lago Tefé reached an alarming 39.6°C, leading to the death of freshwater dolphins. This year, the situation has worsened: the drought came earlier than usual and the water level dropped by up to 30 centimeters per day. Although rainfall and smoke have temporarily lowered temperatures, Marmontel and her team fear that we are on the brink of a similar or even worse catastrophe.
The Amazon is home to the Amazon river dolphin (boto) and the tucuxi, both of which are threatened with extinction. Prolonged drought, exacerbated by climate change, has already led to mass die-offs. The death of over 200 dolphins around Tefé last year and further deaths downstream highlight the ongoing crisis. Recent finds of dead dolphins with signs of human impact underline the increasing tensions between dolphins and local fishermen, exacerbated by falling water levels.
Marmontel, who has been working closely with YAQU PACHA for years, emphasizes the ongoing urgency of the situation. Last year, YAQU PACHA played a central role in coordinating the rescue operations for the dolphins. This year, YAQU PACHA is in constant contact with colleagues on the ground. Together with her team, Marmontel is actively monitoring the health of the dolphins and preparing for future deaths. However, the repeated extreme conditions indicate that such events could become the new normal. The Mamirauá Institute is improving its rescue capabilities and securing the support of the Brazilian military and private organizations to address this growing crisis.
The recurrence of such extreme droughts underscores the urgent need for global action to combat climate change and protect these critical species. Dolphins as indicator species point to major environmental problems that require immediate and sustained attention.
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