Wildlife

Monarch Butterfly Welfare and Migration Conservation

The monarch butterfly undertakes one of the most remarkable animal migrations in the world and faces catastrophic population decline from habitat loss and climate change.

Key Facts

Migrates up to 4,500km from Canada and US to Mexican overwintering sites
Population declined by over 80 percent since the 1990s
Listed as Endangered on IUCN Red List since 2022
Dependent on milkweed plants for larval development throughout breeding range
Overwintering sites in Mexico are increasingly vulnerable to illegal logging

Welfare Considerations

While insect welfare science is at an early stage, the collapse of monarch populations represents a major ecological welfare concern. The loss of milkweed through herbicide use in agricultural areas eliminates the larval food plant. Climate change is altering the phenological timing of migration relative to milkweed availability. Logging at Mexican overwintering sites kills millions of hibernating butterflies.

What You Can Do

Plant native milkweed species in gardens throughout the breeding range
Support World Wildlife Fund Mexico monarch overwintering forest protection
Donate to Monarch Watch conservation and habitat restoration
Reduce pesticide use to maintain milkweed in garden and farm environments