What are the benefits and problems with raising and releasing monarchs?

While captive rearing has been successful in laboratory settings for other at-risk species, this approach is not yet warranted for monarchs, and recent research illustrates that informal captive rearing by individuals may pose significant risks to monarchs, including disease and lower migration success. The Monarch Joint Venture joins many other entities in emphasizing high-quality habitat creation and protection as the most important conservation strategy. We wholeheartedly encourage those interested in protecting monarchs to participate in an established monarch community science program, but we discourage the practice of informally rearing monarchs at home. Please see our handout for more on the risks associated with this practice, and a list of community science programs: Rearing Monarchs: Why or Why Not?