Some 300 wild birds of various species were found dead over the weekend along the coasts of Mexico's western states of Chiapas, Oaxaca, Guerrero, Michoacan, Jalisco, Sonora and Baja California Sur.
Authorities had initially suspected bird flu, but a joint effort from the country's agriculture and environment ministries concluded the most likely reason was warmer oceans resulting from El Niño.
With warmer waters, fish tend to swim lower in search of colder waters, which prevents seabirds from successfully hunting for their food, the ministries said in a statement.
At least six people have died in Mexico as a result of intense heat this warmer season, according to recent tally from the health ministry.
Reporting by Mexico Newsroom; Writing by Carolina Pulice; Editing by Sarah Morland and Sandra MalerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Persons:
Carolina Pulice, Sarah Morland, Sandra Maler
Organizations:
MEXICO CITY, Authorities, U.S . National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, El Nino, Mexico, Thomson
Locations:
MEXICO, El, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Guerrero, Michoacan, Jalisco, Sonora, Baja California Sur, Americas, Peru, Chile, Mexico