National Geographic magazine, January 2024 Issue

Saving the Monarchs. National Geographic stories take you on a journey that's always enlightening, often surprising and unfailingly fascinating. This month–saving the monarchs.

In this issue: Follow the monarch on its dangerous 3,000-mile journey across the continent — The iconic North American butterfly's annual migration patterns are under threat from habitat loss and extreme weather, causing its devoted fans to research solutions and push for protection from the Endangered Species Act.; Monarchs are actually toxic—and 5 other ways the butterflies unsettle and amaze us — Monarchs feed on a plant rich with toxins, making them a dangerous dining choice for many species. Here are some surprising facts about the deceptive beauty.; Can monarchs adapt to a rapidly changing world? — Extreme weather and rising temperatures threaten their epic migration, but scientists say targeted habitat restoration can help.; Anyone can help monarch butterflies. All you need is a yard. — If you’re interested in creating habitat for monarchs, it's really simple: Just focus on providing their two basic needs.; Why this once isolated tribe took up cell phones and social media — Indigenous peoples in the Amazon are using modern technology to defend their land—and their way of life. “We want the world to see us so they can help us.”; He spent 50 days on a deserted island. Then he found a message in a bottle. — Jasper Doest spent nearly two months photographing the Netherlands’ Rottumeroog, where visitors are usually prohibited and he found a new sense of freedom.; These 5 lesser-known species may vanish. If they do, we’re all in trouble. — One animal purifies our water. Another provides a vital food source for three other species. This photo essay from Joel Sartore shows how saving one animal saves so many more.; Why adults need to make time for playtime — New studies suggest that play may be as essential to our health as sleep. Here’s why—and how you can incorporate it into your grown-up life.; Saving endangered species, saving ourselves — As the Endangered Species Act marks its 50th anniversary, the National Geographic Society CEO reflects on how to help protect species around the world.; You won’t find these Hawaiian hiking trails in a guidebook — From the beach where hula was said to be born to sacred sites where spirits roam, miles of lesser known trails tell the story of Hawai’i.; Another rare spotless giraffe found—the first ever seen in the wild — The sighting occurred just weeks after the unusual condition was seen in a newborn giraffe at a Tennessee zoo. Is it more common than scientists thought?; Pope Francis's Christmas gift to a grieving photographer — When a photographer received heartbreaking news during a difficult assignment, he was desperate. Then the pope took a detour.