Dartmoor Zoo is spearheading an ambitious project to bring the black-veined white butterfly, a species believed to have been extinct in the UK for almost a century, back to British shores. The initiative aims to repopulate these rare insects, which were last officially recorded in Britain in 1925, with their decline attributed to factors such as increased pesticide use and the removal of native hedgerows following World War One.
The conservation effort began with the arrival of nine female butterflies from Normandy, France, on Tuesday. Remarkably, within ten minutes of their transfer, one of the females had already laid a batch of eggs, offering an early sign of success for the programme. Dr David Gibson, Chief Executive Officer of Dartmoor Zoo, highlighted the critical importance of this work, stating that black-veined white butterflies are currently among the rarest animals in the UK and expressing the team's determination to change this status.
First documented as a British species during the reign of King Charles II, the black-veined white butterfly was officially declared extinct in Britain in 1925. However, there were recent unconfirmed sightings of the species in hawthorn and blackthorn trees on the outskirts of London in June 2023, sparking renewed interest in their potential return. The reintroduction project is a collaborative effort, with Dartmoor Zoo working alongside partners including Ambios Ltd, Knepp Rewilding, Royal Holloway University, and Butterfly Conservation.
Dr Gibson underscored the broader ecological significance of the project, noting that the UK is considered one of the most nature-depleted countries globally. He emphasised the necessity of greater efforts to support all species, stating, "We have done an awful lot of damage to UK wildlife and biodiversity, and bringing one single butterfly back is just as important as reintroducing pine martens, lynx or even wolves and brown bears." He added that pollinators form the fundamental basis of food systems, plant life, and nature as a whole, making their conservation paramount.
Looking ahead, a number of the black-veined white butterflies are expected to be released into a designated site in east Devon as early as next summer. This phased approach aims to establish a self-sustaining population, contributing to the wider goal of restoring biodiversity and ecological balance across the country.