Others were rescued by residents, including five that were rushed to a local veterinarian, the Associated Press (AP) reported. “They arrived in critical condition, dehydrated and with a fever. They were as limp as dishrags. It was heatstroke,” said Sergio Valenzuela. While the brutal heat wave in Mexico has been linked to the deaths of at least 26 people since March, veterinarians and rescuers say it has killed dozens, and perhaps hundreds, of howler monkeys. In the town of Tecolutilla, Tabasco, the monkeys were brought in Friday when a local fire and rescue squad showed up with five of the creatures. Normally quite intimidating, howlers are muscular and can stand about 2 feet (60 centimeters) tall, with tails of equal length, large jaws and a fearsome set of teeth and fangs. But it’s mostly their lion-like roars, which belie their size, that they are known for. “[The rescuers] asked for help, asking if I could examine some animals they had in their truck,” the veterinarian added. So far, the monkeys appear to be recovering. Previously listless and easy to handle, they are now in cages in Valenzuela’s office, scrabbling at the bars. “They are recovering. They are aggressive and they are biting again,” he said, noting that this was a healthy sign for the normally shy creatures. Most were not so lucky. Wildlife biologist Gilberto Pozo counted some 83 dead or dying animals on the forest floor beneath the trees. The die-off began around May 5 and peaked over the weekend. Pozo blames a combination of factors, including the heat, drought, forest fires and logging that is depriving the monkeys of water, shade and the fruits they eat. For people in this humid, swampy, jungle-covered state of Tabasco, the howler monkey is an iconic and beloved species. Locals say the monkeys tell them the time of day, howling at dawn and dusk. Pozo said local people — who he knows through his work with the Usumacinta Biodiversity Conservation group — have been trying to help monkeys they see on their farms. But he warned that it can be dangerous to bring them home, because domestic animals “have pathogens that can be potentially fatal for howler monkeys.” Pozo’s team has set up special recovery stations for the monkeys — they currently have five, but birds and reptiles have also been affected — and are trying to organize a team of specialized veterinarians to give the primates the care they need. Read Also: Mexico has to invest more to attract relocating companies (Portuguese version)