The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, AZA, designated the Monarch butterfly as a species at risk of extinction and a priority for strategic intervention. Monarchs were placed on the AZA’s SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) animal list. The SAFE program plan gives the sad statistic that the Monarch population east of the Rockies has dramatically declined since the 1980s, by 80%.
Unlike lions and tigers, Monarchs live right here in our backyards in Kansas and we can personally impact their chances of survival. Additionally, we live in a key area to make a difference. The Midwest, or Corn Belt, is an important Monarch breeding area. In 2015, I-35 was designated the “Monarch Highway” because Monarchs migrate south along this central flyway. Monarchs have the longest migration of any insect, traveling as much as 3,000 miles to overwinter in Mexico.
No milkweed, no Monarchs
Monarch survival depends on the native perennial milkweed plant to host their caterpillars. Monarch caterpillars will only eat milkweed leaves. Since the 1990s, use of Round-Up herbicide has effectively rid agricultural fields and their margins of milkweed. Loss of farmland to urban development and roadside mowing have further depleted milkweeds. Without milkweed, the butterflies cannot reproduce.
In the spring, Monarchs travel north from overwintering in Mexico, but each generation only lives a few weeks and can only travel so far. The Monarchs that finally reach our latitude are two or three generation’s descendants of those who left Mexico. Milkweed must be available for each generation to reproduce to make their way north.
As a commercial member of the AZA and conservationists at heart WDM has decided to actively support the work of saving Monarchs. WDM has provided milkweed plants to our staff who have space to start milkweed gardens at their homes.
