North American Monarch butterflies are all set to move to their winter homes. To avoid winters, these beautiful creatures will be moving west to California's coast or South to the mountains of central Mexico.

These are the only species that carry out a long, two-way migration, said the US Department of Agriculture. Their migration generally starts in October. As per the officials, there are many butterflies that travel as far as 3,000 miles to reach their destinations.

A lot of focus is being given on these big beautiful orange, black and white ones, as their population has witnessed a massive decline. Their population has declined by more than 90% across the US in the last two decades. It has dropped from 1 billion to less than 60 million.

As per officials, these species might get protection under the Endangered Species Act. There are a number of decisions for the decline including the habitat destruction and pesticide use. Grants are being handed out to save the habitat of these creatures.

Lately, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has awarded 22 grants of around $3.3 million to fund the proposals that target strategies for saving the monarch butterflies. The strategies are habitat destruction, coordination and capacity building and seed supply and availability.

Campaigns are being organized to raises awareness about monarchs and the ways by which their habitats can be restored.

'“This report is a wake-up call. This iconic species is on the verge of extinction because of Monsanto's Roundup Ready crop system,” said Andrew Kimbrell, executive director at the center. “To let the monarch butterfly die out in order to allow Monsanto to sell its signature herbicide for a few more years is simply shameful.”