Are monarchs endangered?

No, the monarch is not listed as endangered under the United States Endangered Species Act. 

The USFWS announced a proposed rule to list the monarch butterfly as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, accompanied by a 4(d) rule and critical habitat designation. Although this proposed rule does not immediately list the monarch under the ESA, it marks a significant step in the decision-making process for its protection.

You can read the December 2024 announcement here.

To learn more about monarchs and the Endangered Species Act, click here. 

To learn more about the listing status of monarchs in Mexico, Canada, and under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), click here.