The last Chequered Skipper was in England in 1976 before the brown and yellow species of butterfly was officially extinct. The species was thriving on other continents that supported the woodland habitat the butterflies needed to survive. Changes to woodland management were the stated cause of the extinction of the species in England.
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They reintroduced the extinct species to Fineshade Wood near Corby, Northamptonshire, in 2018, with donor stock from Belgium. Breeding was evident within the donor population in 2019. The reintroduction location was a secret to offer the butterflies a better chance at recovery. The details and positive results were announced by Butterfly Conservation in 2022.
Butterfly Conservation has Sir David Attenborough, at the helmwho became Butterfly Conservation President in 1998. Through the conservation project’s efforts, staff and volunteers are revitalizing butterfly habitats and working to increase populations. Their programs are vital because butterflies contribute to the overall health and continuation of ecosystems and other animal populations.
Dr Nigel Bourn, Butterfly Conservation’s chief scientist, is confident that the success of this program demonstrates that bringing a species back from the brink of extinction is possible. Crews must determine the cause of the extinction, including environmental concerns, to correct any problems.
The total donor population of 27 males and 101 females landed at two locations. After five years, the total number of Chequered Skippers has increased yearly. The latest count was 350 butterflies. Although not entirely out of danger, the initial program success has the recovery team hopeful.
Wildlife recovery programs have assisted in restoring numbers for the California Condor. When a Tawny owl was infertile, a wildlife rescuer matched her with orphaned baby owls.
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