Endangered species week – Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly
Posted onMay 17, 2020byWildlife Preservation Canada|News and Events, Species at Risk
What is the Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly Recovery Program? The Taylor’s checkerspot is listed as endangered in Canada, and considered a keystone species. An environmental indicator for the health of the entire ecosystem, this special butterfly was once widespread in the San Juan Islands, southern Vancouver Island and the surrounding islands of British Columbia. It was believed to have disappeared from Canada until 2005, when 15 checkerspots were observed on Denman Island in B.C.’s Gulf Islands. Since then, WPC has been working to support the checkerspot by building the wild population in B.C. through conservation breeding and helping partner efforts that restore and maintain habitat for the species.
To celebrate Endangered Species Week, WPC is putting the spotlight on endangered Canadian species who desperately need our help.
This spotlight is on the Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly, which is listed as Endangered in Canada.
One of the best starting points in saving an endangered animal is to learn about what makes that animal special. We’ve pulled together some quick and easy ways for you to learn about the Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly.
1. FOLLOW OUR CATERPILLARS LONG JOURNEY TO THEIR RELEASE SITE:
Follow the WPC team as they take endangered Taylor’s checkerspot caterpillars from the breeding facility at the Greater Vancouver Zoo to their release site at Helliwell Provincial Park on Hornby Island.
2. GET YOUR KIDS EXCITED ABOUT ENDANGERED ANIMALS:
Download our kids activity sheets in full colour or black and white colouring sheets. Each of the six different sheets has facts about a different animal with a fun activity on the back where your kids can put their knowledge to the test.
3. OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP ENDANGERED ANIMALS LIKE THE TAYLOR’S CHECKERSPOT BUTTERFLY:
- Be social! Join the discussion on social media. WPC posts interesting articles, videos, and links every day. We also send out a monthly e-newsletter with stories about our work.
- Make a small gift with a big impact. Support our work with endangered animals by making a donation today. Our team will put your gift into action right away.
- Take part in community science.
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