The butterfly
sanctuaries, where thousands of monarch butterflies migrate
every year, were opened on Friday (November 28), in the central
Mexican state of Michoacán. Tourists, scientists and local
residents eagerly await the annual event.
"It's the
most anticipated day by the people who live in the reserve. It's
also the most anticipated by a great national and international
(scientific) community that runs research projects and many
(science) activities linked with the monarch butterfly migration
phenomena, " said the reserve's director Concepción Miguel
Martinez to Reuters. Beginning in October, millions of Monarch
butterflies flee the cold winters of Canada and northern United
States and travel thousands of miles to hibernate and reproduce
in the temperate woods of central Mexico.
Hundreds of
trees crowded with butterflies can be seen along the reserve.
But illegal logging has damaged the sanctuaries in recent years,
endangering the Monarchs and triggering the government and
scientific community to initiate special projects to protect the
reserve. Martinez stressed the importance of the efforts. "The
risks to the monarch butterfly are not only the long-term ones
such as climate change and illegal logging, the greatest risks
are those related with the breakdown and damage of these
habitats where monarch butterflies feed and reproduce," he said.
Conservation efforts have included local residents, spurring
economic growth in the area. Biologist Felipe Martinez said the
forests are important both scientifically and economically.
"From a biological point of view, it's a unique process in the
world that has being nominated as a world heritage site and this
caused additional international attention to this area which has
brought the region more tourism earnings," said Martinez.
In recent
years, climate change has affected Monarchs too. Frost, wind and
rains have killed many of them as they migrate. Changes in the
weather have also affected the reproduction periods of the
butterflies in their Mexican hibernation habitats.
The Mexican
government has protected 660 thousand hectares of land as part
of the Monarchs' reserve and expects to increase it to 3 million
hectares in coming years. Authorities want to preserve not only
the forest of Central Mexico where the butterflies hibernate,
but other points along the Monarchs' migration path across
Mexico and the areas surrounding the sanctuaries.