MONARCH BUTTERFLY SANCTUARIES ARE NOW OPEN

23 / Nov / 2015 (LF) The Monarch butterfly sanctuaries, located in the states of Mexico and Michoacan, opened its doors to tourism from November 21 to 31 March next year, Alejandro Del Mazo Maza, Commissioner National Protected Natural Areas.

While the Monarch butterflies delayed their arrival some days due to the effects of Hurricane Patricia and front number 8 was not an obstacle for this species continue its journey of more than four thousand kilometers across the states of Coahuila, Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosi, Queretaro, Guanajuato, Morelos, Puebla, Hidalgo, Michoacan and Mexico State.

These days, the monarch still coming fir forests in the Reserve of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere and are conducting reconnaissance flight to decide the place where they will hibernate. The next week will be crucial for the establishment and form colonies.

The tourist stops are open to the public:
In the state of Michoacan:
· El Rosario and El Asoleadero, Municipality of Ocampo.
· Senguio, Senguio Municipality.
· Sierra Chincua, Municipality of Angangueo.

YA ESTÁN ABIERTOS LOS SANTUARIOS DE LA MARIPOSA MONARCA EN MÉXICO Y MICHOACÁN

More Monarch butterflies return to Mexico

A monarch butterfly perches on a branch in the Piedra Herrada sanctuary near Valle de Bravo, Mexico, last week. CHRISTIAN PALMA AP

PIEDRA HERRADA, MEXICO

More Monarch butterflies appear to have made the long flight from the U.S. and Canada to their winter nesting ground in western Mexico, raising hopes after their number dropped to a record low last year. But experts still fear that unusual cold temperatures will threaten the orange and black insects.

While an official census won’t be ready until mid-January, observers are seeing healthy populations of butterflies bunched together on fir and pine trees in protected sanctuaries, said Gloria Talavera, director of the official monarch butterfly reserve.

“We’re encouraged, because we’ve seen more,” Talavera said Monday.

But cold forecast for this winter, she said, “could put at risk the whole migratory phenomenon. … We will be saying a prayer each day until mid-February.”

More Monarch butterflies return to Mexico

Mexico's Monarch butterflies in decline

By Mark Stevenson, The Associated Press

MEXICO CITY —The amount of Monarch butterflies wintering in Mexico dropped 59 percent this year, falling to the lowest level since comparable record-keeping began 20 years ago, scientists reported Wednesday.

It was the third straight year of declines for the orange-and-black butterflies that migrate from the United States and Canada to spend the winter in mountaintop fir forests in central Mexico. Six of the last seven years have shown drops, and there are now only one-fifteenth as many butterflies as there were in 1997.

The decline now marks a statistical long-term trend and can no longer be seen as a combination of yearly or seasonal events, the experts said.

But they differed on the possible causes.

Who's at fault?

Illegal logging in the reserve established in the Monarch wintering grounds was long thought to contribute, but such logging has been vastly reduced by increased protection, enforcement and alternative development programs in Mexico.

More in the NBC News Article