Human actions are decimating our planet and making it harder for those who live on it to survive. One such being is the Monarch butterfly.
These beautiful creatures are vital pollinators and help keep the ecosystem in balance.
Monarch butterfly populations have been declining rapidly. While there were around 1.2 million in the 1990s, there were only around 2,000 in 2020.
Furthermore, fewer and fewer are able to survive their biannual migrations between Mexico and Canada/the eastern US.
The usual suspects including habitat destruction, climate change, pesticide use, and other human activities play a huge role in the monarch butterfly population decline.
However, one of the biggest factors is the decline in their main food source as caterpillars: milkweed.
These plants are often cut down or killed with pesticides to make room for industrial farming.
The best way to save monarch butterflies is to officially recognize their endangered status. However, in December 2020, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services denied monarch butterflies protection, despite acknowledging that the species is endangered.
Instead, they merely placed monarch butterflies on the waiting list for endangered status and protection. Fortunately, there is a new review each year.
Sign this petition to demand protections for monarch butterflies now!
This article by Shelby Hettler was first published by OneGreenPlanet on 23 January 2022. Lead Image Source : Khairil Azhar Junos/Shutterstock.
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