California Monarch Butterfly Population Drops to Second-Lowest Level on Record

The latest count reveals a 96% decline in western monarch numbers since last year, raising urgent conservation concerns.

The annual Xerces Society count recorded 9,119 western monarch butterflies this winter, a sharp drop from 233,394 in 2023 and the second-lowest count since tracking began in 1997.
Key threats to the monarch population include habitat destruction, pesticide contamination, and extreme weather linked to climate change, such as last year's record-breaking heat waves and wildfires.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed listing the monarch as a federally threatened species, with a decision expected by December 2025, and is accepting public comments until March.
Conservation efforts are focusing on protecting critical habitat, including 4,395 acres across seven California counties, and addressing pesticide testing gaps to mitigate harm to pollinators.
Despite the alarming decline, experts note the monarch's capacity for recovery, citing past population rebounds, but emphasize the need for immediate action to prevent long-term extinction risks.