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Mongabay Newscast
Mongabay Reports: Monarchs make a comeback
Mar 13, 2023
Liz Kimbrough, a dedicated writer on conservation, delves into the inspiring resurgence of Western monarch butterflies, with their population soaring to 335,000 in 2022—an impressive comeback from the brink of near extinction. She discusses the critical need to protect their overwintering sites, which face ongoing threats. The conversation highlights both the triumphs in conservation efforts and the urgent challenges ahead, painting a vivid picture of the delicate balance between success and vulnerability for these iconic pollinators.
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Quick takeaways
- The population of Western monarch butterflies has significantly increased to 335,000, indicating progress in conservation efforts yet still requiring ongoing protection measures.
- Critical challenges persist for monarchs, including habitat loss and climate change, necessitating enhanced management of overwintering sites and community involvement for their recovery.
Deep dives
Western Monarch Population Recovery
The population of Western monarch butterflies has shown a significant increase, with over 335,000 individuals counted at overwintering sites in California and Arizona during the 2022 Thanksgiving Count, the highest number since 2000. This positive trend indicates that conservation efforts may be making a difference, as participation in the count has grown and researchers are monitoring butterfly numbers more closely. Despite the improvement, the population remains over 90% lower than historic numbers from the 1980s, highlighting the urgency for continued conservation efforts. Scientists are unsure of the exact reasons behind the recent uptick but note that butterfly populations often fluctuate yearly due to climate-related factors such as temperature, rainfall, and food availability.
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