- Ultralight airplane follows the Monarch butterfly
migratory route
Mexico City, august
2005.- Papalotzin (from the nahuatl language: papalotl=butterfly
and tzin=tiny), an ultralight plane decorated as a
Monarch butterfly, will follow the Monarch butterfly migratory
route from Canada to their sanctuaries in Mexico from the
22nd of August to the 3rd of November of this year.
Francisco “Vico” Gutierrez, the pilot and director
of the Papalotzin project, along with the Michoacan State
Government and the WWF-Telcel Alliance, have the objective
of promoting knowledge and awareness of this marvelous migratory
phenomena. Their intent is also to emphasize the butterfly’s
challenging journey into Mexico as well as communicate the
importance of conservation in the three countries that form
part of this spectacular and natural feat.
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"Vico"
y Papalotzin |
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During the trip, Vico and his team will film a documentary
about the life, flight, and challenges of the Monarch butterfly.
Every year, millions of Monarchs (Danaus plexippus) travel
about 4,500 kilometers to hibernate from November to March
in the pine and oyamel (Abies religiosa) forests located in
the Mexican States of Michoacan and Mexico.
The ultralight plane will start its journey in Montreal and
will continue to Toronto, both in Canada. In the following
weeks it will fly across the states of New York, Maryland,
Tennessee, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas in the United
States of America moving on to the Mexican states of Coahuila,
Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosi, Queretaro, and finally to the
butterfly sanctuaries in Michoacan. The journey, crossing
impressive landscapes of North America, will be filmed by
pilots from Canada, USA, and Mexico who will be guiding the
plane at different stretches.
During the journey, the Papalotzin team will organize informational
events and press conferences with the attendance of local
experts and those involved in the Monarch Butterfly’s
conservation. At the same time, the team will continuously
communicate the journey’s progress through a real-time
and interactive website: www.papalotzin.com
and will produce a one hour video – including aerial
and land views - about the life, the route and the challenges
that the Monarch butterflies face in each county
Papalotzin represents the common interest of the three countries
to preserve their natural and shared heritage: the Monarch
butterfly migration and its habitats. The conservation of
the hibernation forest in Mexico is crucial for the butterflies,
for other species of flora and fauna, for the communities
in the area, and even for the regional, national and international
community. Furthermore, these forests supply environmental
services like carbon capture, water catchment, and erosion
prevention.
In order to protect the Monarch butterfly, the Monarch Butterfly
Biosphere Reserve was created in Mexico in the year 2000 with
an extent of 56,259 hectares. The Reserve’s main purpose
is conservation and sustainable forest management.
Editor's notes:
Francisco “Vico” Gutierrez
Vico is a delta wing, parapente and ultralight plane pioneer. He started flying when he was only 13 years old! His experience of more than 30 years has taken him throughout the whole country. He has been a pilot with the National Team of free flight and has participated in more than 10 championships worldwide. Vico is a Free Flight and Ultralight instructor in Valle de Bravo, Mexico, and regularly makes films from his ultralight plane for commercials, documentaries and movies. Living in Valle de Bravo, so close to the Monarch butterfly colonies combined with his love of flying and adventure, secured Vico's commitment to the efforts in the conservation of the remarkable migratory phenomenon of the Monarch.
WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most experienced independent conservation organizations, with almost 5 million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. For more information visit: www.panda.org
Papalotzin and the WWF- Telcel Alliance are working together towards the conservation of the Monarch butterfly migratory phenomena.
Telcel
Telcel, leader in the telecommunications business, recognizes the importance of conservation and sustainable management of natural resources to achieve social and economic development. The environmental responsibility is considered as part of its mission.
For more information:
Jatziri Perez Ojeda
Communication Coordinator
WWF-Mexico Program
Tel. +52 (55) 52 86 56 31 Ext. 223
jperez@wwfmex.org
Links:
www.papalotzin.com
www.telcel.com
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Papalotzin, the journey of the Monarch butterfly
Papalotzin