Shocking Discovery: Three Stunning Butterflies Face Extinction Due to Collectors’ Hobby
Three breathtaking butterfly species are now endangered, primarily due to collectors and habitat loss, prompting urgent conservation efforts in the US.
Butterflies, Endangered Species, Brazil, Conservation, US
Rio de Janeiro: It’s pretty wild to think that three of the most beautiful butterflies in the world are on the edge of extinction. Why? Well, it turns out that collectors and their outdated hobby are to blame. These butterflies are caught and sold because of their vibrant colors, only to be killed and displayed as decorations.
These stunning creatures are native to Brazil, but their homes are being destroyed. Plus, many are shipped off to wealthy buyers in the US who want them for their collections. It’s a sad situation.
Recently, the Center for Biological Diversity celebrated a big win. The US government decided to list three species of swallowtail butterflies as endangered. This came after a lawsuit in 2021, where they argued that the government wasn’t doing enough to protect these butterflies.
By classifying these butterflies as endangered, the US can now ban their import and sale. This move also helps raise awareness about the threats they face and secures funding for their protection.
Sarah Uhlemann from the Center said that these protections are crucial. They’ll help keep these butterflies safe from being taken from their homes and brought to the US as dead trophies.
One of the newly protected species is the Fluminense swallowtail, which is just one of the three Brazilian butterflies now listed as endangered in the US.
It’s shocking that it took so long for these butterflies to get the protection they need. The petition to list them started back in 1994, but they were stuck on a waiting list for decades. It’s a reminder of how important it is for the US to step up and protect wildlife.