The Poweshiek skipperling has suffered dramatic declines and the species was federally listed as endangered in 2014. Beginning in 2015, the Minnesota Zoo, and later Assiniboine Park Zoo and John Ball Zoo, collaborated with federal and state biologists to learn to raise the species in human care. That effort has been successful and releases will continue while scientists evaluate long-term population growth and habitat stability.
This work is supported by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, with additional support from conservation partners. Lessons learned from this project strengthen similar pollinator recovery programs, such as those for the Dakota skipper and Mitchell’s satyr, and demonstrate how targeted collaboration can give even the smallest species a chance to rebound.
To learn more, read the full story on USFWS’ website: A rare prairie butterfly gains new ground