illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The New York Times and The Guardian or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Scientists are investigating the deaths of over 147 howler monkeys in southern Mexico due to extreme heat and dehydration
• Fires, deforestation, and high temperatures exceeding 100°F have exacerbated the situation, leading to critical conditions for the remaining monkeys

🔭 The context: Mantled howler monkeys, one of the largest primates in Mexico, rely on fruit and leaves for water
• The recent drought and habitat loss, which follows a similar die-off in Nicaragua in 2016 during another hot and dry period, have severely limited their food and water sources, leading to mass deaths

🌍 Why it matters for the plane: The deaths highlight the severe impact of climate change on wildlife
• As a sentinel species, their suffering signals significant environmental distress and the urgent need to address climate challenges
• Extreme temperatures, habitat loss, and environmental degradation are endangering species, signaling broader ecosystem distress

⏭️ What's next: Scientists and nonprofit groups are forming protocols to aid distressed monkeys and are seeking funding for further research
• There are concerns about the unseen impact on other species less monitored by humans

💬 One quote: “The animals are sending us a warning, because they are sentinels of the ecosystem,” said Dr. Gilberto Pozo, a biologist involved in the investigation

📈 One stat: As of Wednesday, 147 howler monkeys have died in the states of Tabasco and Chiapas

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