Anderson Cooper on Witnessing the Monarch Butterfly Migration
In this captivating episode of "60 Minutes," Anderson Cooper delves into the mesmerizing phenomenon of the monarch butterfly migration—a journey steeped in natural mystery. Each year, millions of these delicate creatures embark on an epic journey that defies understanding, navigating thousands of miles to their wintering grounds despite never having made the journey before.
The migration of monarchs, renowned for its complexity and precision, raises intriguing questions about instinct and survival in the animal kingdom. As Cooper shares his firsthand experiences of this breathtaking natural event, viewers are taken on a visual and emotional journey that underscores the majesty of wildlife and the challenges faced by those who seek to witness it.
"60 Minutes," the most successful television broadcast in history, continues to engage audiences with its hard-hitting investigative reports that have been illuminating the news landscape since 1968. Join us for this extraordinary exploration of nature’s wonders that keeps millions tuning in season after season.
Don’t miss the chance to see the full episode and subscribe for more insightful stories from "60 Minutes." Follow the journey on our official channels for updates and behind-the-scenes content.
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Video “Anderson Cooper on witnessing the monarch butterfly migration” was uploaded on 04/21/2025 to Youtube Channel 60 Minutes
Let's all help to preserve them! Many people believe that planting a LOT of flowers is enough to help to preserve butterflies. While flowers feed the adult butterflies, it's the HOST PLANTS that feed their babies/caterpillars **each species of butterfly lay eggs on different host plants, which are easy to grow, but NEVER use pesticides.** Obviously, it's impossible to cover the whole topic in a YouTube post, but here's a little info about a few species of butterflies along with their host plants to get you started:
MONARCHS and QUEENS: Milkweed species (My favorite – Asclepias curassavica, but there are several others)
GULF FRITILLARY, ZEBRA LONGWING & JULIA: Passionflower Vines (Passiflora incarnata, suberosa, maypop…)
GIANT SWALLOWTAIL, LIME BUTTERFLY: Citrus species, Prickly Ash, Wild Lime…)
EASTERN TIGER SWALLOWTAIL: (Tulip tree, wild black cherry, sweet bay, basswood, ash, wafer ash, red maple, American elm, and sassafras)
WESTERN TIGER SWALLOWTAIL: (willows, aspens, cottonwoods, alders, and ashes)
BLACK SWALLOWTAIL, ANISE SWALLOWTAIL, and GIANT SWALLOWTAIL: Rue, basil, parsley, dill, fennel, and other carrot family members
PIPEVINE SWALLOWTAIL: Pipevines/Calico flower (Aristolochia family)
WHITE BUTTERFLIES: Mustard greens, kale, collard greens, broccoli and cabbage family.
YELLOW BUTTERFLIES: Partridge Pea, Wild Senna, and Senna.
Different regions have different butterflies. Google your area and their "HOST PLANTS".
a real-life fairy garden
I was about halfway up on Mount Shasta in 1970 four hours from sunset when a blanket of monarchs, flying two feet off the ground, came over the mountain covering the rocky landscape as far as the eye could see. Silently flowing, knee high, for over an hour. Incredible!
I think its interesting that they have a destination built into their DNA.
Breathtaking
2:22 sunshine changes everything
Saw that in WI as a kid in the 60’s. Used to be so many.
A group of butterflies is called a “kaleidoscope.”😊
Thank you to every single person who made this video possible ! I know I'll never see it in person ~ so Thank You ALL !❤❤❤
Breathtaking! Thank you, Anderson, for taking us with you on this expedition. ❤🦋🦋
I went from having a couple of dozen caterpillars five years ago with less milkweed than I currently have to not seeing a single one for a couple of years now…
I’m so jelly I’ve always wanted to see that personally
We have a greenhouse & nursery where we raise milkweeds for folks to plant for monarchs in north central MN zone 3. Thank-you for putting in the huge efforts doing this piece so we may be more encouraged to do what we do. When I was a child i used to pull milkweeds from soybean fields on our family farm in southern MN so I have come full circle in growing 4 kinds of milkweeds. This is like a cathedral♡♡♡
Bill Owen, we will miss you! I love the Monarch butterflies, too, but is this the real story today? Is CBS folding, too?
What a beautiful gift
My son did a project on this 25 years ago. I am so glad it is still happening. Thank you.
I did this trip and it was life changing! So magical 💖
I found around 6 monarch caterpillars on my milkweed plants on Hacienda Hts. California. Is this too early for them to form.
Magical
Let's all help to preserve them! Many people believe that planting a LOT of flowers is enough to help to preserve butterflies. While flowers feed the adult butterflies, it's the HOST PLANTS that feed their babies/caterpillars **each species of butterfly lay eggs on different host plants, which are easy to grow, but NEVER use pesticides.** Obviously, it's impossible to cover the whole topic in a YouTube post, but here's a little info about a few species of butterflies along with their host plants to get you started:
MONARCHS and QUEENS: Milkweed species (My favorite – Asclepias curassavica, but there are several others)
GULF FRITILLARY, ZEBRA LONGWING & JULIA: Passionflower Vines (Passiflora incarnata, suberosa, maypop…)
GIANT SWALLOWTAIL, LIME BUTTERFLY: Citrus species, Prickly Ash, Wild Lime…)
EASTERN TIGER SWALLOWTAIL: (Tulip tree, wild black cherry, sweet bay, basswood, ash, wafer ash, red maple, American elm, and sassafras)
WESTERN TIGER SWALLOWTAIL: (willows, aspens, cottonwoods, alders, and ashes)
BLACK SWALLOWTAIL, ANISE SWALLOWTAIL, and GIANT SWALLOWTAIL: Rue, basil, parsley, dill, fennel, and other carrot family members
PIPEVINE SWALLOWTAIL: Pipevines/Calico flower (Aristolochia family)
WHITE BUTTERFLIES: Mustard greens, kale, collard greens, broccoli and cabbage family.
YELLOW BUTTERFLIES: Partridge Pea, Wild Senna, and Senna.
Different regions have different butterflies. Google your area and their "HOST PLANTS".
We use to see them migrate through Boise Idaho. It's been since I was a child since the last migration I saw out here in idaho.
Maybe….he finally gets to ESCAPE IT
I Tommy want to vomit 2:40
It’s like heaven on earth. It really is like heaven on earth. What a site to behold . We are all so lucky to be here 🌎✨❤
How beautiful!
But dont leave any comments on the regime
Thank you Mexico
I live near a Monarch sanctuary the numbers have declined in the past few years
Cooper going to get a lower back butterfly tattoo now. 😂
At :36, you can see the little pieces of damage on the wings…. wow! Lovely! Thank you!
Mr. Cooper, you are more beautiful than these butterflies, provided you value yourself and look at the world differently.
For the first time within last 2 years 60 MINUTES was ON TIME at 7.00 as they 99% of time they DRAGE sport JUNK. 😎😎😎😎😎😎😎
Anderson's just tired of reporting on Trump related news.
They are so gorgeous. We see them in CA. 💙
Now you know why the more general term for a group of butterflies, a “flutter” of butterflies just doesn’t really work for monarchs. We are working to get “an amazement of monarchs” into the lexicon of animal group names. That only happens when the term is used repeatedly in different settings. It is one more simple way to help keep this migration from extinction. Please, everyone, use it as often as you can, on websites, in videos, anywhere.
Monarchs mean everything ❤
Thanks Anderson for ur report nd ur courage old man lol! I'm kidding but I'm glad u got to experience this awesome godly event! God's creation is perfection to its best ❤….Stay safe nd blessed
Shrink your lawn and grow natives for them (milkweed, blazing star, sunflowers, goldenrods and asters, among others). And please follow pages like Homegrown National Park, Pollinator Partnership, Xerces Society and others. Plant now. Celebreate Pollinator Week – June 16-22 🦋🦋🦋
My Sustainability Book Club read The Insect Crisis: The Fall of the Tiny Empires That Run the World by Oliver Milman last month and he discussed how the trees that are being planted are being planted higher and higher up the mountain due to climate change but they eventually will not have any higher to go.
Because CO2 I have never seen butterfly around California in America for now…..
Super
My mom and I spoke of this often. Makes me think of her. Just lost her in April. I always think of her when I see monarch butterflies. ❤
It is so magical, and not as hard as he says to get there, but hiking up to the tops of the mountain isnt for those out of shape.
So so beautiful!
TY for taking us there!