Every year,300 million monarch butterflies somehow travel more than 3000 Kilometers from northern America to forests west of Maxico City.When they gather here,they completely cover some of the trees.It is one of the most extraordinary sights in nature.
The monarchs are beautiful,but to survive the long trip,they have to face many challenges.then even after they arrive safely at the El Rosario butterfly sanctuary,they are not always saf.In 2002,a rainstorm his the forest floor.
This is Mike Quinn, a biologist with Monarch watch.he thinks that in addition to the cold weather,the loss of tree in the area has made the problem worse.
Quinn says people have been cutting down trees around the forests where the butterflies stay.And that lets the cold air come into the forest.when there are enough trees arounds the sanctuary,the forest protects the butterflies.In the past thirty years,almost 50 percent of the trees in the area have been cut down.
The Mexican government and the world wildlife Fund are trying to save the monarchs.
They are encouraging people NOT to cut down trees.in face,they are paying the people who own he land money to protect the trees,The 2002 storm was not the first big storm in the area.And it won not be the last.