CNN
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More than 100 dolphins have been found dead in the Brazilian Amazon amid historic drought and record high water temperatures.
The dead dolphins have all been found in Lake Tepe in the past seven days, according to the Mamirauá Institute, a research facility funded by Brazil's Ministry of Science.
The institute said such a high number of deaths was unusual and could be due to record lake temperatures and historic drought in the Amazon.
The news is likely to add to climate scientists' concerns about the impact of human activity and extreme drought on the region.
“It is still too early to determine the cause of this extreme phenomenon, but according to experts it is definitely related to the drought period and high temperatures in Lake Tepe, with some spots exceeding 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit).” The institute said in comments to CNN affiliate CNN Brasil.
The Amazon River, the world's largest waterway, is currently entering its dry season, and many river fauna are also suffering from record-high temperatures.
![Severe drought is threatening the Amazon River.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/230930204342-02-amazon-river-dolphins-dead-drought.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill)
Researchers and activists are trying to rescue the surviving dolphins by moving them from outlying lagoons and ponds to the main river where the water is cooler, but the remoteness of the area has made the task difficult, according to reports.
“Transporting river dolphins to other rivers is not very safe because it is important to check for toxins or viruses. [before releasing the animals into the wild]” André Coelho, a researcher at the Mamiraua Institute, told CNN Brasil.
The drought in the Amazon is also affecting the economy.
Below-average water levels were reported in 59 municipalities in the state of Amazonas, disrupting both shipping and fishing activities on the river.
Authorities expect more severe droughts in the coming weeks, which could lead to more dolphin deaths, CNN Brazil reported.