Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
NO SOUND
MUSIC SOUNDS
Sarah VO: The monarch sanctuaries have been declared biosphere reserves
by the government of Mexico. They are considered so significant worldwide
that they have been designated world heritage sites by the United Nations.
However, there are problems for the monarchs throughout the migration.
Illegal logging in the forests of Mexico
continues to reduce the size of the sanctuaries.
In the United States increased development and agricultural practices
have reduced the Milkweed plant, essential food for monarch larva.
Yet even with these looming concerns, a visit
to the monarch sanctuaries is an awe inspiring experience.
One of the most spectacular natural events on earth.
Sarah VO: American biologists Jessica Wheeler and Dawn Reese
are teaming up with Mexican biologist, Elleio Garcia Serano
to define the exact size of the colonies using GPS technologies.
They are getting a special tour of the El Rosario
sanctuary near Angangueo in the process.
Jessica Wheeler: Elleio is the fellow that we are working with,
and he is recording a lot of different things.
He does transects and then he will also use the GPS to record the size
of the butterfly colonies and therefore be able to track change over time.
It's a vacation for us as biologists to come down and see the butterflies
and help people record really important biological information.
Elleio Garcia Serano (TRANSLATOR): I have been working with different institutions
on the monarch butterfly reserve for about 14 years.
I really like biology and nature and the work of conserving the forest
where the butterflies live.
It was my first job and I think it will be my last.
MUSIC
Sarah on Camera Close: What an incredible adventure
....butterflies heading to Mexico, Ozark songbirds in Nicaragua,
Canadian Geese right here in Missouri.
The phenomenon of animal migration is simply awe inspiring.
The big lesson here...
people around the world need to work with one another
to preserve and protect our natural heritage.
We're all in this together.
MUSIC