Machine Learning

Jaime Rojo's Image

Jaime Rojo (Spain) reveals the epic migration undertaken by monarch butterflies and the efforts being made to save them.

Monarch larvae eat milkweed plants.

These are disappearing from prairies in the USA and Canada.

An increase in the use of glyphosate herbicides contributes to this disappearance. Between 1999 and 2010, up to 58% of milkweed disappeared from Upper Midwest states.

In Minnesota, Jaime observed how drones are being used to monitor milkweed populations.

Wendy Caldwell (left), of Monarch Joint Venture, and crop scientist Timothy Fredricks mark milkweeds with flags. These will help train an artificial intelligence algorithm to recognise the plants from drone footage.

Behind the lens

Jaime Rojo

Jaime Rojo

Spain

Jaime is a photographer and National Geographic Explorer who specialises in environmental stories about wilderness and wildlife. A strong advocate for conservation, he hopes his images can ultimately become a tool for the creation of new protected areas. Jaime’s a Senior Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers, a trustee of the WILD Foundation and the recipient of honours in competitions such as the World Press Photo and Picture of the Year International.

Image details

  • Nikon Z 9
  • 24-70mm f2.8 lens
  • 1/80 at f14  •   ISO 160  •   Profoto B10X flash + softbox
  • New Germany, Minnesota, USA
Copyright in WPY competition photographs remains the property of the respective photographers. You may not copy, share, reproduce or republish the photographs except as expressly permitted by copyright law. For media image usage enquiries, please contact us.

More images from Jaime Rojo

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A magnificence of monarchs
Open and Shut
A Changing View

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