Nate Rott

So scientists think today we only see about 5% of the number of monarch butterflies that used to be on the West Coast. That's how far the Western population has dropped. The Eastern population of monarchs have dropped by about 80%.

It's a ton. So that is why there's been this huge push from wildlife groups and insect advocates to try to get the monarch butterfly listed under the Endangered Species Act. And after 10 years of pushing, the Fish and Wildlife Service is now facing a court-mandated deadline to make a decision by December 4th.

It's a ton. So that is why there's been this huge push from wildlife groups and insect advocates to try to get the monarch butterfly listed under the Endangered Species Act. And after 10 years of pushing, the Fish and Wildlife Service is now facing a court-mandated deadline to make a decision by December 4th.

It's a ton. So that is why there's been this huge push from wildlife groups and insect advocates to try to get the monarch butterfly listed under the Endangered Species Act. And after 10 years of pushing, the Fish and Wildlife Service is now facing a court-mandated deadline to make a decision by December 4th.

Emily, do we know anything about anything? True. True.

Emily, do we know anything about anything? True. True.

Emily, do we know anything about anything? True. True.

You know, I asked Emma Pelton, an endangered species biologist at the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, which is like one of the groups that's been pushing for a listing, that very question. And here was her response.

You know, I asked Emma Pelton, an endangered species biologist at the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, which is like one of the groups that's been pushing for a listing, that very question. And here was her response.

You know, I asked Emma Pelton, an endangered species biologist at the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, which is like one of the groups that's been pushing for a listing, that very question. And here was her response.

So this is where I think it gets really interesting. Emma wants and thinks the science supports the monarch butterfly being listed as threatened, not endangered.

So this is where I think it gets really interesting. Emma wants and thinks the science supports the monarch butterfly being listed as threatened, not endangered.

So this is where I think it gets really interesting. Emma wants and thinks the science supports the monarch butterfly being listed as threatened, not endangered.

And that distinction between threatened and endangered is really important. Because a species that gets listed as endangered in the U.S. gets all of the protections of the Endangered Species Act. It gets everything it has to offer. Like, you cannot kill monarch butterflies. You cannot mess with them.

And that distinction between threatened and endangered is really important. Because a species that gets listed as endangered in the U.S. gets all of the protections of the Endangered Species Act. It gets everything it has to offer. Like, you cannot kill monarch butterflies. You cannot mess with them.

And that distinction between threatened and endangered is really important. Because a species that gets listed as endangered in the U.S. gets all of the protections of the Endangered Species Act. It gets everything it has to offer. Like, you cannot kill monarch butterflies. You cannot mess with them.

So it depends. In some cases, depending on what they rule, you could. I don't want to get too far down the technical wonky path of environmental law because I don't think anyone wants to go down that path. But if a species is listed as threatened, there's more wiggle room. There can be carve-outs and protections to accommodate for the people that are going to have to interact with that animal.

So it depends. In some cases, depending on what they rule, you could. I don't want to get too far down the technical wonky path of environmental law because I don't think anyone wants to go down that path. But if a species is listed as threatened, there's more wiggle room. There can be carve-outs and protections to accommodate for the people that are going to have to interact with that animal.

So it depends. In some cases, depending on what they rule, you could. I don't want to get too far down the technical wonky path of environmental law because I don't think anyone wants to go down that path. But if a species is listed as threatened, there's more wiggle room. There can be carve-outs and protections to accommodate for the people that are going to have to interact with that animal.

They could say, like, it's not illegal to raise monarchs in captivity or for somebody to touch one. They could exempt those kinds of activities. And Emma thinks that they honestly should.