Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Monarch butterflies recently landed on an international endangered species list. Greater Cincinnati experts tell us more

Monarch butterflies mass on a tree branch in the Cerro Chincua mountain at the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Cerro Chincua, central Mexico.
Richard Ellis
/
Getty Images
In the winter, Monarch butterflies travel to Mexico from east of the Rocky Mountains.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature recently put the monarch butterfly on its “red list” of endangered species.

The iconic orange and black butterflies aren't just beautiful; they're an important part of the ecosystem here and in other places along their epic migration route.

Joining Cincinnati Edition to talk about what the IUCN's designation means for the monarch — and why the prolific pollinators are vital here and elsewhere — are University of Cincinnati Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Patrick Guerra, Ph.D., and Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Director of Global Conservation Lily Maynard.

The University of Cincinnati is a financial supporter of Cincinnati Public Radio.

Listen to Cincinnati Edition live at noon M-F. Audio for this segment will be uploaded after 4 p.m. ET.

Never miss an episode by subscribing to our podcast: 

Stay Connected