The mountain goat is one animal perfectly adapted for life in alpine regions (areas above the tree line). Its teeth can chew the toughest vegetation, and its hooves have hard, sharp edges with a non-slip pad in the middle so they can climb on the steepest of ridges.
Monarch butterfly area in Mexico under threat
Monarch butterfly area in Mexico under threat Areas in Mexico which have been set aside as
colonies for monarch butterflies are under threat by both legal and
illegal logging practices. Homero Aridjis, a prominent Mexican
author has now launched a campaign to protect monarch butterflies
and their habitats as there is concern that the government plans to
further reduce the amount of area available for the migratory
insects. Monarch butterflies leave North America every November and
make a 5,000 kilometre trek to a small forest west of Mexico City
where they live in fir trees at about 11,000 feet altitude. The 250
million butterflies then fly back in mid-March, laying eggs along
the way. The 13 areas that the monarchs inhabit in Mexico cover a
total area of about 60 by 120 kilometres. In 1986 the Mexican
government set aside 5 sanctuaries for the monarchs and banned
logging in those areas but local people protested due to the loss
of income from cutting trees. Deforestation has become a major
problem in monarch habitats. Dr Len Wassenaar, an Environment
Canada scientist based in Saskatoon visited all 13 areas in 1997
and was alarmed at the amount of trees that had been cut down.
Mexico now needs to review how to protect the butterflies and other
wildlife without hurting their local economies. 18 MARCH 2000
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