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Every winter, millions of monarch butterflies journey thousands of miles across North America to spend winters in the forests and mountains of central Mexico.
But over the years, the beloved butterfly has seen such a troubling decline in its population that US wildlife officials on Tuesday announced a proposal to help protect the species.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service proposed listing the monarch butterfly as threatened with extinction under the Endangered Species Act. The law states that a species is labeled “threatened” when it is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future.
Flitting from flower to flower, sipping nectar to pollinate plants, the monarch plays a significant role in maintaining its ecosystem’s biodiversity. The species, with its iconic orange-and-black markings, is a vital food source for various animals.
However, growing threats such as habitat loss from illegal logging, exposure to insecticides, and the climate crisis have dramatically shifted the monarch’s breeding and migratory patterns.
Read more at the link in our bio.
📸: Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune/Getty Images
