In a rare conservation success story, the eastern regal fritillary butterfly has found refuge in the unlikely setting of Pennsylvania’s Fort Indiantown Gap, the busiest National Guard training center in the country. The butterfly, once found from North Carolina to Maine, now thrives in this military base due to the habitat provided by controlled burns and ordnance that churn the soil.
Despite efforts to reintroduce the butterfly in other areas, conservationists are still struggling to establish a stable population outside of Fort Indiantown Gap. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has recommended placing the eastern regal fritillary on the endangered species list due to its declining range.
Conservationists are exploring new sites, including old coal mines, to provide the necessary plants for the fritillary to thrive. Efforts to rear and reintroduce the butterfly in other locations are ongoing, with varying degrees of success.
The public is invited to submit comments on the proposed endangered species listing for the eastern regal fritillary butterfly until October 7, 2024. Tours to see the butterfly at Fort Indiantown Gap will resume next summer.
This heartwarming conservation success story highlights the importance of habitat preservation and the resilience of nature in unexpected places. If you would like to support investigative journalism like this, consider contributing to Spotlight PA at spotlightpa.org/donate.
Source
Photo credit www.spotlightpa.org