Imagine following one of nature’s most remarkable migrations—not by satellite tracking or field notes, but from the cockpit of an ultralight aircraft.
That’s exactly what Mexican filmmaker Francisco Gutiérrez did when he took flight alongside millions of monarch butterflies on their epic journey from Canada to Mexico. His adventure, captured in stunning photographs and film, offers a butterfly’s-eye view of a migration that spans generations and crosses international borders.
In August 2005, Mexican filmmaker and pilot Francisco Gutiérrez took off in his ultralight aircraft from Montreal to follow the monarch butterflies on their 6,000 km migration from Canada to the mountains of central Mexico, in a bid to raise awareness of the importance of preserving the butterflies’ habitat.
Gutiérrez flew his aircraft, affectionately nicknamed the Papalotzin (which means “small butterfly” in the Aztec language), over vast landscapes, capturing breathtaking photographs and footage of the butterflies in their natural habitat.
In collaboration with the Embassy of Mexico, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum has produced an exhibition from the material recorded by Mr. Gutiérrez on his journey aboard the Papalotzin. On the Trail of the Monarch Butterfly will be presented at the New Brunswick Museum starting 1 February 2018.
On the Trail of the Monarch Butterfly features breathtaking photographs taken by Mr. Gutiérrez, as well as the 60-minute movie documentary Papalotzin – The Flight of the Monarch Butterfly. This documentary offers a unique glimpse into the lives of these magnificent creatures and the challenges they face during their incredible migration.
A number of educational activities and crafts are also available to help raise awareness to the conservation issues facing monarch butterflies. Visitors of all ages are invited to learn more about these astounding insects and how they can help protect their habitats.