Homero Gomez Gonzalez, defender of Monarch Butterfly habitat, R.I.P. [Archive]

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dado potato

1-30-20, 6:16pm

The winter terminus of the incredible migration of Monarch Butterflies is an area of forested hilltops in the Mexican state of Michoacan.
Homero Gomez Gonzales was a logger in that area, who realized that without a sanctuary for the Monarch Butterflies, logging would soon destroy their habitat.
Gomez Gonzales preserved an area, the Santuario El Rosario Ocampo Michoacán,and for a few years he promoted tourism rather than logging.
On January 13 Gomez Gonzales went missing. Now his body has been recovered from a well near the sanctuary.

happystuff

1-30-20, 6:34pm

That is so sad. I saw the documentary about the Monarch butterflies a couple months ago - made by a young woman. Can't remember the names, but I wouldn't be surprised if Mr Gonzales was the gentleman in the documentary.

rosarugosa

1-30-20, 6:49pm

RIP Homero Gomez Gonzales.

lmerullo

1-30-20, 8:02pm

Oh how sad! The Orchard at Altapass is near our vacation home and they are part of the Monarch migration. (Before I went there to pick apples one fall and saw their Monarch info, I was unaware they DID migrate).

They are a beautiful creature.

razz

1-30-20, 9:53pm

Heartbreaking and so short-sighted by those who oppose his efforts.

Teacher Terry

1-30-20, 11:17pm

So sad!

Rogar

2-1-20, 10:37am

There are a lot of unsung every day heroes that you never hear much about. I guess it's the way of the world that this gets back page coverage and sports figure demises are front page for days on end. Both are unfortunate, but it seems out of line. Hopefully there are others who will carry on his work.

ApatheticNoMore

2-1-20, 11:46am

I just take it for granted that he was probably killed for his work. Which will discourage some others from continuing it of course. But some are brave, unsung heroes.

catherine

2-1-20, 12:19pm

I just take it for granted that he was probably killed for his work. Which will discourage some others from continuing it of course. But some are brave, unsung heroes.

Absolutely. It's horrible. Off the top of my head I think of Dian Fossey, but there are many that lost their lives in the name of environmental / wildlife justice

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_environmental_killings

May his death not be in vain

JaneV2.0

2-1-20, 1:04pm

I just take it for granted that he was probably killed for his work. Which will discourage some others from continuing it of course. But some are brave, unsung heroes.

Yes--you have to be a willing martyr for the environment because greed is toxic to humans and the planet.

dado potato

2-4-20, 7:52pm

The cause of death was "mechanical asphyxiation after suffering head trauma and being submerged in water."

This was a heinous murder. Let justice be done.

Teacher Terry

2-4-20, 7:55pm

That’s awful Dado.

ApatheticNoMore

2-4-20, 8:18pm

They just killed another conservationist:
https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/03/americas/second-butterfly-conservationist-dead-mexico-trnd/index.html

JaneV2.0

2-5-20, 12:40pm

There really is a war on the earth being waged--in the name of greed.
I'm beginning to think we are doomed.