Consultation Services
Newsletter
Membership
Employment
Pressroom
In the News
Contact Us

In the News

Check this page for the latest articles 'In the News'
regarding Ventana Wildlife Society and their mission.


Sunday, February 3, 2008 (SF Chronicle)
BUTTERFLIES DRAWN TO PACIFIC GROVE
Stephanie Wright Hession

(02-03) 04:00 PDT Pacific Grove -- - Ambling down a narrow pathway, past
the pink exterior of the Butterfly Grove Inn, butterfly enthusiasts arrive
at the Monarch Grove Sanctuary in Pacific Grove. They're eager to glimpse
the thousands of black-and-orange creatures that winter at the sanctuary
from October through March.

Visitors often use high-powered binoculars for a closer look at the
bunches of monarchs high in the eucalyptus trees, where leaves camouflage
the underside of the butterflies' wings. A short walk away, the Pacific
Grove Museum of Natural History, which coordinates the docents at the
sanctuary, offers a more detailed perspective on the migratory marvel, as
well as some intriguing exhibits on some of the area's year-round
wildlife.

The monarchs travel more than 2,000 miles to get to Pacific Grove, flying
100 miles per day, at altitudes up to 10,000 feet. They will mate in
February, around Valentine's Day. In the fall, the monarchs returning to
Pacific Grove will be the fifth generation of these butterflies. Although
theories abound, no one knows for certain how these descendants find their
way back.

For San Franciscan Lois Kelley, coming to the sanctuary is something she's
wanted to do for years. Now that she's retired, she finally has the time.
"I'm just interested in the whole life cycle and how these delicate
creatures travel so far," Kelley says. "I also appreciate the efforts of
the Pacific Grove residents who spared the trees and provided a respite
for the butterflies."

Residents of Pacific Grove, a city affectionately known as Butterfly Town,
U.S.A., diligently protect the monarchs. In 1990, voters approved a $1.2
million bond to purchase 2.7 acres of land, preventing it from being
developed and creating the Monarch Grove Sanctuary.

Late morning to early afternoon, once the temperature reaches more than 55
degrees, provides the optimal conditions to see the monarchs. That's when
they warm their muscles in the sun and take flight in search of nectar.
While at the sanctuary, visitors must follow a butterfly etiquette that
includes remaining on the designated paths, being watchful for monarchs on
the ground and not disturbing the butterfly clusters.

The natural history museum's "Monarchs in California" exhibit, which
includes a short film documenting the monarch's life cycle, is the most
popular among visitors, according to staff member Esther Trosow. But it's
not the only display of note: A young female California condor that
struggled in the wild, was recaptured and later died in captivity is in an
exhibit on condors.

"It took the curators 25 or 30 years to acquire a specimen," Trosow says.
"It's very difficult to acquire a condor specimen."
Opened in 1932 on the grounds of the Pacific Grove Museum, which was
founded in the 1880s, the current museum focuses on Monterey County's
aboriginal people, native animals, plants and geology. Temporary
exhibitions include "Monterey County, Naturally ...," featuring nature
photography by members of the Padre Trails Camera Club of Monterey,
through April.

"We're a small museum," Trosow says, "but because Monterey is a very birdy
county, we have lots of birds, so anyone into birds would come here."
Glass cases display more than 400 taxidermied birds, including 291
species, from a black-footed albatross to a herring gull.
"You get to see what the wildlife looks like," says Dale Kincaid of
Monterey, naming one reason he enjoys the museum. "Obviously, it isn't
alive, but you get to see it up close."

In the Cetacean Room, a female orca's skeleton hangs from the ceiling.
Nearby, visitors push buttons to hear the recorded calls of orcas and
humpback whales. There's also a large jar containing a whale eyeball.
Like the live monarchs fluttering in the nearby grove, it's a poignant
reminder of animals' need for sanctuary.

Monarch Grove Sanctuary: Open daily. Ridge Road at Lighthouse Avenue,
Pacific Grove. Free. (831) 648-5716,
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History: Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday
through Saturday. 165 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. Free. (831) 648-5716,
www.pgmuseum.org.
Stephanie Wright Hession is a freelance writer.
Copyright 2008 SF Chronicle

To learn more about Monarch butterflies and and the research Ventana Wildlife Society is doing visit our Monarch butterflies page.