the migratory monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus plexippus) is famed for its dramatic annual journey that can span up to four thousand kilometers across the Americas. it has been listed on the IUCN red list of threatened species, shifting into endangered status due to habitat destruction and the pressures of climate change. these challenges are driving a steep decline in this remarkable insect.
the red list now catalogs over 147,500 species, with roughly 41,500 deemed endangered. today’s red list update underscores nature’s fragility. the monarch’s migration, a celebrated natural spectacle, is cited by bruno oberle, director-general of the international union for conservation, as a reminder of the broader threat to biodiversity.
protecting diverse habitats through effectively managed protected areas is essential, observers note. decisive action on climate change and ecosystem restoration supports communities by safeguarding biodiversity, providing food and clean water, and creating sustainable employment.
the migratory monarch is a subspecies of the monarch butterfly (danaus plexippus). its iconic winter migrations run from mexico and california to summer breeding grounds in the united states and canada. recent assessments indicate a significant decline in the indigenous population, falling from roughly twenty-two percent to seventy-two percent in the last decade.
habitat loss from legal and illegal logging, agricultural expansion, and urban development has stripped much of the butterfly’s winter shelter in mexico and california. widespread use of pesticides and herbicides also harms milkweed, the critical host plant for monarch larvae across its range.
species on the edge of collapse
climate change amplifies risks for the migratory monarch, affecting migration timing and habitat conditions. drought limits milkweed growth and increases the likelihood of catastrophic wildfires, while hotter temperatures can trigger earlier migrations. extreme weather events have also decimated milkweed stands in several regions.
photos show monarchs in michoacán, mexico, as they travel through important wintering habitats.
the western monarch population faces a high extinction risk, with the global count dropping drastically from millions to just under two thousand and nineteen individuals between 1980 and twenty twenty one, a nearly complete collapse. the eastern population has also plummeted, though at a somewhat different pace. questions remain about how many monarchs are left to sustain the species and prevent extinction.
experts acknowledge the pain of watching monarchs and their extraordinary migration near collapse, yet they also see signs of hope. many individuals and organizations are rallying to protect the butterfly and its habitats, emphasizing reduced pesticide use and habitat restoration as practical steps. the public can contribute to the recovery by supporting native milkweed and wintering areas, easing the pressure on monarchs and local ecosystems.
this is not the only at-risk animal. a global reassessment shows that the world’s sturgeon species are also on the brink, with a high share already endangered. historical overharvesting for meat and caviar, coupled with habitat loss, continues to threaten their survival. even with international protections, illegal trade remains a challenge, and stricter enforcement is needed to avert further declines.
tigers have also seen a critical shift. recent counts estimate wild tigers range from roughly three thousand seven hundred and twenty six to five thousand five hundred seventy eight individuals globally, marking a notable increase since the last assessment. still, the tiger remains endangered, and ongoing conservation efforts are essential to sustain the gains and support long-term recovery.
major threats persist, including poaching and illegal hunting, prey loss, and habitat fragmentation driven by expanding agriculture and human settlement. continued protection and habitat restoration are crucial to maintaining progress and ensuring tiger numbers continue to rise.