Mass death of Amazonian dolphins prompts fears for vulnerable species

Residents in Tefé described the scene as apocalyptic after dolphin carcasses could be seen floating on the river. Photograph: André Kumark.

The sudden die-off of more than a hundred Amazonian river dolphins in recent days has prompted fears that rising global heat could be passing the tolerance threshold of species in vulnerable areas.

The floating corpses of the endangered mammals, along with thousands of dead fish, have appeared at Lake Tefé where the temperature is now like a hot bath after a protracted drought has dried up most of the water.