The following blog post is a summary of the article “Monarch butterflies will get federal protections as a threatened species” by The Associated Press published on December 10, 2024. To read the original article, click here.
U.S. wildlife officials have proposed listing monarch butterflies as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, citing declining populations due to climate change and habitat loss. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to finalize the listing by the end of 2025 after a public comment period. This status would prohibit killing or transporting the butterflies without exceptions but would still allow some activities, like removing milkweed or incidental vehicle strikes. Critical habitats for the monarch, such as 4,395 acres in coastal California, have also been designated for protection. Conservationists see this move as a necessary step to safeguard a species that serves as a symbol of ecological health.
Monarch populations have declined sharply in recent years, with reports indicating dramatic losses in overwintering areas. For instance, in Mexico, monarchs occupied only 2.2 acres of their traditional groves in 2023-24, a 59% decrease from the previous year. Similarly, along the California coast, the Xerces Society has observed an 81% drop in monarch counts over the past 25 years. Experts attribute the decline to climate change, agricultural expansion, and the widespread use of herbicides that diminish milkweed growth, a critical food source for monarch caterpillars. The Convention on Migratory Species has also warned that warming temperatures could alter migration patterns and reduce breeding times, further endangering the species.
Despite the monarch’s grim outlook, the Fish and Wildlife Service has opted for a “threatened” rather than “endangered” designation, as the species is not yet at immediate risk of extinction across its range. Monarch populations east of the Rockies, which make up 90% of the total U.S. population, face a 57-74% probability of extinction by 2080, while those west of the Rockies face a 95% chance. Environmentalists and agricultural groups are closely watching the proposal’s impact on voluntary conservation efforts and land-use practices. Meanwhile, the public comment period offers an opportunity for stakeholders to weigh in before the final decision is made.