Tulum is a region of Mexico that has been open for parties and large events during the COVID-19 pandemic, even when other parts of the country have been closed.

Being one of the few places in the world where people can go partying, Tulum has seen a steep increase in tourism and a demand for more frequent events. Some of the parties are in jungle areas, and there are reports of the local ecosystem suffering due to increased human influence.

Dr Yann Hénaut is the head of the Biodiversity Conservation department at El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, and speaking with The Yucatan Times, they said: “The fact of generating noise in natural areas causes a serious impact, although we cannot know it, animal species such as birds, monkeys and other mammals feel their territory invaded and migrate to other places,”

Hénaut continued: “These are things that we do not perceive but that are happening, and it is something very unfortunate because we affect the environment.”

Noise pollution has been unsettling animals, and making them scared enough to find new areas of habitat. According to experts, this is a direct result of an increased human presence and loud sounds from large events.

Rodolfo Sánches is an adventure sports promoter, and he also accused those visiting Tulum of “disrupting nature”, and has been calling for visitors to give more “respect” the area, due to the negative effects tourism has been having on local species of wild animals.