'Record-breaking heatwave' is coming... Animals facing death crisis amid normalized climate disasters

Worldwide 'Abnormal Heat' Surges
Early Heatwave Causes Deaths of Over 2,000 Cattle and Flock of Young Birds
South Korea Also Faces 'Heatwave Crisis'
Experts "Water Is Essential for Animal Survival... Need to Establish Supply Measures"

On the 24th of last month, when the daytime temperature in Seoul rose to 30 degrees Celsius, heatwaves continued as heat haze rose on Yeouidaero in Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] As forecasts predict that extreme heat will blanket the world this summer, calls are growing to protect animals exposed defenselessly to the heatwave. In the United States and Europe, early heatwaves have already caused mass deaths among cattle and birds. With severe heat expected in Korea as well, urgent measures are being called for.

Recently, a "heat dome" appeared in the United States. A heat dome refers to a phenomenon where high pressure stagnates over an area, trapping hot air and causing a heatwave. According to CNN on the 18th (local time), U.S. meteorological authorities predicted that the heat dome currently lingering over the Northern Plains will move eastward, bringing record-breaking heatwaves.

On that day, the highest temperatures in St. Louis, Missouri, and Chicago were 30°C and 21°C respectively, but due to the heat dome, forecasts suggest that by the 21st, highs could soar to 37.7°C and 35°C respectively.

The early heatwave in the U.S. began as early as last week. On the 13th, the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) issued heat advisories for the southeastern U.S. Gulf Coast and the Great Lakes region, advising 17.5 million residents to avoid going outdoors.

Heatwaves are also continuing in Europe. Spain already recorded temperatures exceeding 40°C earlier this month, with some southern regions reaching 43°C. On the 18th, AFP reported that the highest temperature at the southwestern French beach resort of Biarritz reached 42.9°C.

Korea is also facing the possibility of an earlier-than-usual heatwave. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, there is a 50% chance that temperatures in July and August will be higher than the average temperatures (24.6°C in July and 25.1°C in August).

◆ Animals Exposed to Heatwaves Worldwide... What About Korea?

As animals are fully exposed to early heatwaves, incidents such as cattle deaths and mass deaths of baby birds have occurred. On the 16th, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment in the central U.S. reported that over 2,000 cattle died collectively due to prolonged high temperatures.

Relatedly, images of black cattle lying dead in fields due to the heatwave were shared on social media, causing shock. The Associated Press pointed out that temperatures, which had been steady between 21°C and 26°C, suddenly rose to 37°C from the 11th to the 13th, and weakened winds were the cause of the mass deaths. The cattle died from heat stress as they were unable to release heat.

In southern Spain, hundreds of young swifts were found dead on city streets in Seville and C?rdoba. Experts explained that the concrete buildings where the swifts nest?such as gaps in high-rise buildings and roof holes?became intensely heated by the heatwave, ultimately leading to the birds' deaths.

With animals facing a heatwave crisis, urgent calls for related measures are emerging. Birds, stray cats, and other animals that are difficult for humans to reach remain exposed to the heatwave threat.

Experts advise that water supply should be prioritized for urban and wild animals facing climate disasters such as heatwaves and droughts. Lee Won-bok, head of the Korea Animal Protection Alliance, said, "Like humans, animals prioritize water over food for survival. Due to global warming, ongoing droughts and predicted heatwaves have made it difficult to obtain essential water. For wild animals, it is difficult for humans to provide water artificially."

He added, "In such cases, water can be supplied by digging ponds in mountains and filling them with water. For stray cats in urban areas, local governments need to establish measures to facilitate water supply."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.