Recent reports say that wintering monarchs are on a rebound in Mexico. Despite the positive progress, there is no time to relax as the future of the milkweed butterfly population remains uncertain.
In a survey conducted in December 2015, investigators discovered that the population of the butterflies were able to cover about four hectares (9.9 acres) of the forest. This number is far bigger than the previously recorded 1.13 hectares (2.8 acres) in 2014.
Future Still Grim
Although the present population of the wintering monarchs are higher than the previous year, experts say it is still a far cry from the 1 billion insect population recorded two decades ago.
In 2014, the estimated number of butterflies was 33.5 million. In 2015, the population rose to 56.5 million. The rise may look impressive but that is not even half of the staggering 500 million butterflies recorded 20 years ago.
Such data show that the new future is still considerably grim, but it also show that people can still do more.
Action Required
World Wildlife Fund Director General in Mexico, Omar Vidal says now is the time to amp up efforts to protect and restore habitats of these butterflies in North America.
Environmental and safety organizations in the U.S. recognize the need to boost the population of the wintering monarchs. With this, some of them have called on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to declare the species as endangered so that due protection may be given.
Private companies are also doing its part. One example is Creve Coeur-based Monsanto, which may have started efforts to increase the population of the butterflies.
The favorable weather condition is also said to play a huge role in the improvements of the population.
The U.S. government has also stepped up as President Barack Obama initiated a "Pollinator Health Task Force," which aims to produce 225 million butterflies and cover 15 acres of overwintering habitat in Mexico by the year 2020.
What Can We Do?
Now is the best time to unite and do something for the wintering monarchs. Last winter, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said that it will be collaborating with two conservation organizations to safeguard and restore habitats.
The agency's director Dan Ashe says monarch butterflies may be saved if only people will act promptly and together.
The said project had a budget of $2 million to plant milkweed on over 200,00 acres of land.
WWF adds that partnerships that aim to address the use of herbicides, illegal logging and climate change are vital to save the monarch butterflies of North America.
"It's a big challenge, but together we can save them, and save this unique migratory phenomenon," says WWF.
