Monarch butterfly protections delayed indefinitely by Trump administration
A decision on federal protections for monarch butterflies has been delayed indefinitely by the Trump administration. The move pushes back a planned 2025 listing under the Biden administration, leaving conservation efforts in uncertainty. Scientists warn the species faces high extinction risks in the coming decades.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had intended to add monarch butterflies to the threatened species list by late 2025. This would have banned killing or transporting the insects and protected 4,395 acres in California as critical habitat. Instead, the Trump administration has reclassified the decision as a 'long-term action', moving it beyond the September 2026 deadline.
Without federal protections, monarch butterflies remain vulnerable to habitat loss and environmental pressures. The delay means conservation will rely on existing local efforts rather than stricter nationwide measures. No timeline for a final decision has been set.
