El Niño phenomenon causes the death of hundreds of birds in the Mexican Pacific

Mexico.- Experts initially suspected that the recent mass deaths of hundreds of birds on the Mexican Pacific coast were due to bird flu. However, the Mexican government has now confirmed that the cause of these deaths is the warming of the Pacific Ocean waters caused by the El Niño meteorological phenomenon. The Mexican Ministry of Agriculture stated that autopsies conducted on the deceased birds found along the west coast of Mexico revealed that the most likely cause of death was starvation, rather than flu.

This phenomenon is directly linked to the climate effects of El Niño. When the surface waters warm up due to El Niño, the fish migrate to deeper and colder waters, making it difficult for seabirds to catch their prey. The majority of the affected bird species were Cory’s shearwaters, gulls, and pelicans. El Niño is a natural and temporary warming of parts of the Pacific Ocean, which leads to significant changes in global weather patterns.

In May, climatologist Michelle L’Heureux from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration noted that El Niño had formed earlier than usual this year, providing it with more time to intensify. She predicted a 56% chance of a strong El Niño and a 25% chance of it reaching super-giant levels. Similar mass bird deaths have also been reported in Peru and Chile, coinciding with the occurrence of El Niño.

In addition to its impact on wildlife, El Niño can also have effects on people visiting the Dominican Republic. The warming of ocean waters associated with El Niño can lead to increased temperatures and humidity in the region. This can make conditions uncomfortable for tourists, potentially resulting in heat-related illnesses and discomfort. It is important for visitors to stay hydrated, seek shade, and take necessary precautions to avoid the adverse effects of heat during their stay in these tropical countries.