Rare Washington Butterfly Faces Extinction

SAN JUAN ISLAND, WA - A rare species of butterfly found in the San Juan Island is facing extinction, and so the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wants to name the island marble butterfly an endangered species.

The butterfly was rediscovered in 1998 on San Juan Island by state Department of Natural Resources biologists. That was the first time the island marble butterfly had been seen in Washington since the early 20th century, according to Fish and Wildlife.

But the island marble population has been dropping recently. Biologists counted fewer than 200 males in 2017. A main threat to the island marble butterfly is habitat loss.

Under the Endangered Species Act, the National Park Service would designate about 813 acres of land on San Juan Island critical habitat. That land is primarily owned by state, federal, and local government. About 0.5 percent is privately held.

“There has been tremendous effort to assist the island marble butterfly over the years,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Washington State Supervisor Eric Rickerson in a press release. “But given the small population size, the threats to this species are significant. We will continue to work collaboratively with organizations and individuals on San Juan Island in our shared concern for the continued survival of this species.”

Public comment on the proposal runs through June 11. You can submit a comment by visiting http://www.regulations.gov/ or mailing a comment to: Eric V. Rickerson, State Supervisor, Washington Fish and Wildlife Office, 510 Desmond Drive SE, Lacey, Washington 98506.

Image courtesy National Park Service