The LIFE Apollo2020 partner consortium has successfully submitted the Midterm Report to CINEA (European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency), marking a significant step in the conservation and reintroduction of Parnassius apollo in the project regions. This crucial initiative is focused on stabilizing and increasing the last populations of this endangered butterfly.
Project Regions
The project is being implemented across four key regions:
Sudetes
Austrian Alps
White Carpathians (Slovakia & Czech Republic)
Key Achievements in the First Half of the Project:
✅ Reintroduction of Parnassius apollo in target habitats to strengthen local populations. ✅ Habitat Restoration through vegetation management, nectar plant cultivation, and Apollo Gardens. ✅ Public Engagement & Education via workshops, outreach campaigns, and awareness initiatives. ✅ Monitoring & Research to assess population health, habitat quality, and reintroduction success.
Focus for the Second Half:
🔹 Enhancing Population Growth – Expanding conservation measures to strengthen butterfly numbers. 🔹 Long-Term Habitat Management – Improving habitat connectivity and ecological stability. 🔹 Scientific Conference & Knowledge Exchange – Hosting an event to share best practices and research. 🔹 Advanced Monitoring & Research – Continuing assessment of population dynamics and habitat effectiveness.
We extend our appreciation to all partners, stakeholders, and conservationists dedicated to protecting Parnassius apollo. As we move into the second phase of the project, we remain committed to securing a sustainable future for this iconic butterfly species.
In 2024, the Education and Information Centre White Carpathians continued the Apollo Project and its related education and awareness activities.
This year we created 6 new gardens for Apollo in our White Carpathians functional area, usually in the form of a raised bed. The beds were seeded with nectarous plants favoured by the adult Apollo, i.e. various pink and purple flowering plants. The sown mixture has also been enriched with other flowers that attract other species of butterflies or insects. The bed also includes a rockery with host plants for caterpillars. In the White Carpathians, these are mainly the large stonecrop, which occurs naturally here. In addition, the white stonecrop is another important host plant for the caterpillars of the Apollo’s caterpillar.
Most Gardens for Apollo are created in collaboration with schools and kindergartens, or community gardens for example, and are preceded by an educational part in which the pupils are introduced to butterflies in general and then, of course, to the Apollo. Pupils love playing caterpillars, which then become pupae. We use our five metre long pupa, which resembles a real Apollo’s pupa, and the caterpillars (the pupils) climb into it and fall asleep. After one of nature’s miracles, the metamorphosis, has taken place in the chrysalis, the pupils become adult butterflies and fly out of the pupa. Another popular activity is the preparation of a sweet liquid as close as possible to the nectar found in the flowers of plants, the only food for adult butterflies. This is followed by a tasting, of course. After all, the students are adult butterflies for the rest of the programme!
This is followed by the completion of the raised bed in the school garden. The pupils enthusiastically set about tidying up the prepared raised bed and creating a rock garden with their own stones. In order to make the students feel more connected to the bed, most of the stones for the rock garden are found in nature and brought in by the students themselves, sometimes painted with different motifs, especially butterflies. Once the raised bed is ready, they sow the flower mixture and plant the stonecrops.
Awareness was also raised at other events. At the beginning of the year, the traditional seminar dedicated to our functional area was held, where around 60 participants from the Czech and Slovak Republics listened with interest to the presentation on the project. In the spring, our organisation hosted officials from the South Moravian Region. Like the students from Slovenia, they visited our breeding station and learned a lot of interesting information not only about the Apollo, but also about the importance of nature conservation in general. At another awareness-raising event in the House of Nature of the White Carpathians, the visitors also learned about the Apollo, and especially the younger ones were able to draw a picture of a Apollo, get a tattoo of a Apollo or take away a memory game with animal species that live in similar habitats to the Apollo. A lecture for senior citizens from the White Carpathian region was very well attended, presenting the Apollo, its life cycle and the habitats it inhabits.
The LIFE Apollo2020 project is proof that collaboration between experts, schools and the community can deliver concrete conservation results. Through these gardens, we are not only helping to conserve the Apollo (and other species with similar requirements), but also educating and inspiring the next generation to care for our natural world.
We are thrilled to announce that the LIFE Apollo2020 project has achieved a significant milestone: the successful reintroduction of the Apollo (Parnassius apollo) into two key habitats in Austria—Leisach in Tyrol and Rheindamm in Vorarlberg. Carried out between 2023 and 2024 as part of Action C3.3: Reintroduction in the Austrian Alps, these efforts are a cornerstone of the project’s mission to restore this iconic species to its natural environment. This success was driven by dedicated teamwork of Austrian partner and the invaluable expertise of the Saalfelden breeding farm, led by Otto Feldner. His extensive experience in breeding and reintroduction played a crucial role in achieving this goal. Together, careful planning and collaboration have shown how conservation efforts can reverse biodiversity loss and bring endangered species back to thriving habitats.
Leisach: A jewel of the Tyrolean Alps along the railway
The Leisach habitat, located in Tyrol, is characterised by rocky, sunlit terrain with steep slopes, frequent rockfalls, and nutrient-poor soils. These xerothermic conditions make it ideal for Parnassius apollo. However, prior to the project, the species had disappeared from the area.
Habitat restoration and critical preparatory actions were crucial to enable the successful reintroduction of the Apollo in Leisach. One major challenge for the successful reintroduction of Apollo was the glyphosate use along the railway track that crosses the habitat. However, through the dedicated lobbying efforts of the Austrian partner, the European Wilderness Society, the cessation of glyphosate use by ÖBB was successfully achieved in 2022. This precaution was essential to protect the Apollo’s food sources and ensure a safe environment for reintroduction. Another crucial step was the planting of over 500 Sedum plants, such as Sedum album and Sedum maximum, to provide a sufficient feeding base for the reintroduced caterpillars.
Preparations for Sedum plantingCarrying and planting Sedum on the steep slopes of Leisach is no easy task
Reintroduction efforts began in 2023 with the release of 40 Apollo caterpillars, marking the start of the species’ return to Leisach. In 2024, these efforts expanded with the release of 100 more caterpillars and additional Sedum planting (S. album, S. maximum, and S. sexangulare). Monitoring has shown promising results, with a thriving population of caterpillars and imagos confirming the habitat’s suitability for the Apollo. Despite human and natural challenges, the careful planning and implementation of restoration measures have ensured the long-term potential of this remarkable site.
Apollo caterpillars ready to be launched 🙂Releasing caterpillars on the feeding plants
Rheindamm: A restored haven along the river Rhine
The Rheindamm habitat in Vorarlberg is situated along a man-made flood control dam, stretching alongside the Rhine River. The dam, constructed to protect surrounding communities from flooding, is characterised by rocky, south-facing slopes and nutrient-poor soils, creating ideal conditions for Parnassius apollo. However, being part of the Natura 2000 conservation area, all restoration actions required close collaboration and trust-building with local authorities. These efforts ensured that conservation measures were implemented with full agreement and alignment with existing priorities.
As in Leisach, the planting of Sedum species (S. album, S. sexangulare, S. sempervivum) was essential to secure a sufficient food supply for Apollo caterpillars. Over 700 Sedum plants were planted between 2022 and 2024, transforming the habitat into a thriving ecosystem for Apollo.
The reintroduction began in 2023 with the release of 300 eggs and 80 caterpillars, followed in 2024 by the addition of 250 eggs and 150 caterpillars. Reintroducing Apollo eggs is a delicate task that requires manual precision and patience. The eggs, which are really tiny, must be carefully placed either on the finger or with a fine brush to avoid any damage or unwanted loss. It is also important to position the eggs close to feeding plants, such as Sedum, Sempervivum, and Rhodiola species, to ensure that newly hatched larvae can immediately access a suitable food source.
Released caterpillars in RheindammTiny Apollo eggs are about to be laid on Sedum album plants
The success at Rheindamm highlights the importance of long-term planning and collaboration with local stakeholders, ensuring the habitat remains a safe haven for Parnassius apollo.
Securing the Apollo’s future
The establishment of thriving Apollo populations in Leisach and Rheindamm represents a significant milestone, but it is only the beginning. The ultimate goal of the LIFE Apollo2020 project in Austria is to establish self sustaining Apollo populations at all project sites, ensuring the species’ long-term survival across its historical range.
In order to achieve this vision, the European Wilderness Society, in collaboration with the experienced breeder Otto Feldner, is making continuous and dedicated efforts to expand these successes to other reintroduction sites. Their work involves breeding high-quality individuals at the Saalfelden breeding farm, improving habitat conditions, and gradually reintroducing more Apollo butterflies to additional locations.
Future actions will include:
Ongoing monitoring of populations and habitats to ensure long-term success.
Continued Sedum planting and nectar planting to secure a robust food supply for Apollo caterpillars (larvae) and adult butterflies (imagines).
Strengthening collaborations with landowners and authorities to protect existing and new reintroduction sites.
Selective shrub removal to open up habitats, whether for new reintroduction efforts or for existing populations that require support to thrive.
Arranging insect-friendly mowing and grazing practices, in coordination with landowners and authorities, whenever possible and agreeable.
By combining expert and decades of knowledge, habitat restoration, and collaborative partnerships, the project is setting the stage for self-sustaining Apollo populations across Austria. These efforts also contribute to the wider conservation of biodiversity and the ecological resilience of these regions. The Apollo’s return to these landscapes is a powerful symbol of resilience and hope, showcasing how dedicated conservation efforts can reverse biodiversity loss and restore iconic species to their rightful habitats.
Butterfly breeding farms typically aim to contribute to the conservation of endangered species, such as the Apollo butterfly. These farms often involve the careful cultivation of host plants, creating suitable habitats for the butterflies and implementing controlled breeding programs.
Breeding farm in Jagniątków. Photo: Aleksandra Puchtel
Four breeding farms are currently in operation as part of the LIFE Apollo2020 project. Two of them: in Poland (Jagniątków, Sudetes) and in Austria (Saalfelden, Alps) were already operational before the project started. The other two have been established as part of the project’s activities: the farm in Poland (Uniemyśl, Sudetes), and in Czechia (Barchov, Sudetes). As part of the project, it is also planned to run a second breeding farm in Czechia in the White Carpathians.
A newly established breeding farm in Uniemyśl.Our breeding farm in Jagniątków as seen from the inside. Photo: Aleksandra Puchtel
Breeding success in butterfly farms can be influenced by various factors, including environmental conditions. Cold weather in spring can pose a challenge to the breeding process, as it may affect the development of butterfly eggs, larvae, and pupae. Butterflies are ectothermic, meaning their body temperature is regulated by external conditions. Extreme cold can slow down their metabolic processes and developmental stages, leading to reduced breeding success. On the other hand, excessively high temperatures in the breeding season can lead to increased mortality.
Caterpillars hatching from eggs. Photo: Kamila GrzesiakCaterpillars feeding on Sedum maximum. Photo: Miloš Andres
In the new breeding tents, the location had to be tested and solutions relating to sunlight and thermals had to be adapted. However, even in breeding farms that have been in operation for many years, there are still situations that can come as a surprise. The climate is changing, and even in cooler mountainous regions, extremely high temperatures can occur. This past spring, however, surprised us in a different way in the Sudetes. It was rainy, cool, and there were few sunny days.
The Apollo butterfly individual tagged before being released into the habitat. Photo: Kamila GrzesiakSpecial sleeves in which females are kept during egg-laying. Photo: Miloš Andres
In some farms, we encountered unexpected problems related to egg and caterpillar mortality, as well as the transitional phase occurring between developmental stages and the mating process of butterflies. Certain issues were attributed to the weather conditions, particularly the excessively rainy and overcast conditions during spring and early summer. This was particularly evident in the breeding site of Uniemyśl in the Sudetes, where the phenology at all stages of the insects’ lives was delayed compared to other breeding farms.
Caterpillars in a specially arranged breeding container. Photo: Dariusz KuśCaterpillars at the stage just before entering the pupal stage. Photo: Miloš Andres
Some of these problems, however, make us reflect on our breeding methods and will force us to make some modifications and adjustments to the breeders themselves as well as the breeding tents. Failures are a natural part of any process. They prompt us to make improvements and to create variants to deal with negative changes in external conditions. To mitigate the impact of weather, butterfly farms may implement measures such as providing sheltered environments, temperature control, and adjusting breeding schedules based on weather forecasts. Additionally, ongoing research and collaboration with experts in entomology and environmental science can contribute to better understanding and addressing the challenges faced by butterfly breeding programs.
Copulating pair of Apollo butterflies. Photo: Miloš AndresFeeding the butterflies with a specially formulated mixture. Photo: Miloš Andres
To enhance our understanding of the breeding process and the breeding materials used, population genetic studies are conducted on the deceased specimens collected from breeding activities in Poland. Furthermore, investigations are carried out to assess the presence of diseases and parasites. Both low genetic diversity and disease factors can be the cause of a decline in breeding performance, and we need to clarify and find solutions to these issues as well. The presence of several breeders in different parts of Europe allows us to collect a lot of data on what can go wrong while securing breeding material and the possibility of exchange between breeders.
Releasing Apollos into the wild. Photo: Piotr Słowiński
Thanks to our collaboration with breeders, last year we successfully released a total of 1240 individuals at reintroduction sites across 11 different locations in the Polish and Czech regions of the Sudetes and the Austrian Alps.
The Apollo butterfly (Parnassius apollo), a species of conservation concern throughout Europe, is emblematic of the delicate balance between genetic adaptation and environmental stability in alpine and coastal ecosystems. As climate change and habitat degradation increasingly threaten its survival, conservationists are combining genome sequencing and habitat-specific studies to understand the underlying mechanisms that drive its resilience and vulnerabilities. This integrative approach provides a model for targeted conservation strategies that address both genetic and environmental challenges.
Genome Sequencing: Illuminating Adaptive Mechanisms in the Apollo Butterfly
The recent sequencing of the Apollo butterfly’s genome offers profound insights into the evolutionary and adaptive processes that underpin its survival in high-altitude and rocky coastal environments. Genomic analysis reveals gene variants associated with physiological traits that enable the Apollo to cope with temperature extremes, such as enhanced cold tolerance and seasonal metabolic adaptations. These traits are crucial in the butterfly’s current alpine habitats, where climate-induced temperature fluctuations are increasingly common. Identifying these genetic markers allows conservation biologists to model potential impacts of further environmental changes, facilitating more predictive conservation approaches that anticipate gene-environment interactions.
Habitat Shifts Under Climate Change: Implications for Population Viability
Habitat studies have illustrated the significant influence of climate change on the Apollo butterfly’s spatial distribution. Temperature increases drive the species to higher altitudes, where habitat availability diminishes, leading to more fragmented populations and lower genetic diversity. Studies conducted in the Archipelago Sea indicate that Apollo occupancy has decreased even in areas where host plant (Sedum telephium) populations remain stable, suggesting that temperature and precipitation changes impact Apollo survival independently of host plant abundance. These findings underline the importance of maintaining heterogeneous habitats that provide microclimates, which may buffer populations against climatic extremes and mitigate the risks associated with habitat fragmentation.
Anthropogenic Pressures: Fragmentation and Morphological Stress Indicators
Research highlights that habitat fragmentation due to human development, including road construction and tourism, has measurable impacts on the Apollo butterfly’s morphology, such as changes in wing symmetry linked to increased environmental stress. These morphological indicators suggest that habitat disturbance not only constrains population distribution but also reduces individual fitness by disrupting essential behavioural patterns, such as mate-finding and migration. Habitat fragmentation also restricts gene flow, further compromising the species’ adaptive potential. The accumulation of these stressors demonstrates the need for contiguous, protected landscapes that support not only Apollo butterfly populations but also their associated ecological networks.
LIFE Apollo2020: A Genomic and Ecological Approach to Conservation
The LIFE Apollo2020 project integrates genomic insights and habitat data to design conservation interventions that address both the Apollo butterfly’s genetic needs and its specific environmental requirements. Habitat restoration and protection efforts under this project are informed by genetic data that identify populations with lower diversity and potential vulnerability, allowing targeted management practices. By preserving critical habitats and supporting gene flow among populations, LIFE Apollo2020 aims to enhance population viability, reducing the risks posed by genetic bottlenecks and isolated habitats. This project exemplifies a modern conservation approach that leverages genomic research to adapt management practices to the unique characteristics of each population.
Implications for Broader Conservation Models
The combined application of genome mapping and habitat-specific studies in Apollo butterfly conservation sets a precedent for addressing the complexities of biodiversity loss under climate change. Genomic data allows conservationists to pinpoint adaptive genetic traits that are vital for species survival, while habitat studies highlight the immediate ecological pressures threatening these traits. For the Apollo butterfly, this integrative approach ensures that conservation strategies are both proactive and scientifically grounded, providing a comprehensive framework for maintaining resilience in biodiversity hotspots. Protecting this species and its habitat not only preserves a unique component of alpine and coastal ecosystems but also reinforces the broader ecological networks essential to biodiversity stability.
As part of the LIFEApollo2020 project, several engaging workshops were held across Austrian schools this year to introduce students to the Apollo butterfly (Parnassius apollo) and its importance in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Through hands-on activities and the creation of a dedicated Apollo garden, students learned about the unique needs of this species and how conservation efforts can protect it.
School Workshops: Interactive learning is fun!
In Spring, the austrian project team, together with butterfly expert Otto Feldner, organized engaging workshops in Austrian schools to introduce students to the captivating life of the Apollo butterfly. Each workshop began with an interactive overview of the Apollo butterfly’s lifecycle, guiding students through each stage from egg to caterpillar, pupa, and finally, the adult butterfly. By exploring the specific needs of the Apollo butterfly at each stage we aimed for students to develop a deeper respect for its lifecycle and understand the importance of habitat preservation. They learned about the butterfly’s reliance on specific feeding plants, with adult butterflies (imagines) depending on nectar sources like pincushion flowers, knapweeds and thistle, while caterpillars (larvae) feed exclusively on Sedum species such as Sedum album, Sedum sexangulare, or Sedum telephium maximum. Without these plants, it wouldn’t be possible to maintain the delicate balance essential for the Apollo butterfly’s survival.
Through lectures and followed up group and individual works, students explored the concept of an “Umbrella species” and how conserving a single species, like Parnassius apollo, can have widespread benefits for its entire ecosystem. An umbrella species is one whose protection indirectly shields many other species within the same habitat. Since the Apollo butterfly has very specific habitat and dietary needs, ensuring that its environment remains intact requires maintaining a rich diversity of native plants, clean soil, minimal human disturbance and polution levels. This, in turn, creates a suitable habitat for countless other organisms that share the same space. This learning experience not only educated students on butterfly conservation but also hopefully deepened their appreciation for the interconnectedness of nature.
The Apollo Garden: Building a conservation space together
In collaboration with students, an Apollo Garden was established at a school in Mittersill, Austria, as part of the LIFEApollo2020 project. This garden serves as a dedicated small-scale habitat for Apollo butterflies and other pollinators, allowing students to actively participate in conservation. Together, they designed and created a vibrant space, carefully planting Sedum species essential for caterpillars, as well as seeds of a variety of nectar-rich flowers like pincushion flowers, thistles, and field scabious, which provide food for adult butterflies. The garden also includes stones and sunlit areas, mimicking the natural rocky habitats that Apollo butterflies prefer.
Students and teachers learned practical gardening techniques to make environments more butterfly-friendly, such as selecting the right plants, ensuring good soil conditions, and creating sheltering spots. Creating the Apollo Garden allowed students to experience how conservation can begin in their own community. They learned that even small gardens can act as “stepping stones” for butterflies and other pollinators, aiding in migration and enhancing local biodiversity.
One of the key activities of the Apollo 2020 project, “Conservation of Parnassius apollo in Poland, Czechia, and Austria,” is creating habitats for butterflies and offering educational activities. This led to the idea of establishing Gardens for Apollo. These gardens are special spaces where we plant nectar-rich flowers for butterflies and host plants for Apollo caterpillars.
Each garden is built with the direct involvement of local site hosts, guided by our experts. Before any planting begins, we organize educational talks and workshops for both adults and children. Some gardens, especially smaller ones, focus more on education. For instance, school gardens highlight how changing garden management can attract pollinators. These small spaces also create conditions that support the growth of Parnassius apollo populations as individuals reintroduced nearby spread into these gardens.
Meanwhile, some larger Gardens for Apollo are designed as habitats where future butterfly reintroductions are planned. All of these gardens are located within the project’s activity area, known as the Land of the Apollo. This region is becoming known for not only its natural connection to the species but also its cultural significance, thanks to the project’s efforts.
This year, we’ve created four new Gardens for Apollo and revisited one established in 2023. Our garden season began in April with a visit to the Arts and Crafts School Complex in Jelenia Góra. Despite late sowing in June, we were pleased to find that the plants had germinated and spread. Together with the students, we sowed more seeds and installed a sign with information about the garden and the project. We hope the meadow continues to grow and becomes a feeding ground for many pollinators.
In May, we planted two Gardens for Apollo near the Ecocentre in Uniemyśl. At the Tatra Glamp camping site in Okrzeszyn, we talked about the Apollo butterfly and its habitat, and introduced our citizen science campaign, “Where is the Big White Butterfly?”. With the help of campsite guests and local residents, we prepared the ground, planted Sedum, and sowed seeds of meadow plants. We’re excited to continue working with them to expand nature education in the area.
Later in May, we participated in the annual Upper Lusatian Houses Open Day, where we organized a fair of local handicrafts and products. Alongside the visitors, we planted another Garden for Apollo at a small market near the local inn.
In between these activities, we also visited Primary School No. 1 in Kamienna Góra. The students there helped us create a Sedum “roundabout,” designed to gradually transform the school lawn into a flowering meadow. Working with these energetic children was both fun and productive!
Our biggest challenge came with the Garden for Apollo at the Parada Three Cultures House in Niedamirów. The venue’s beautiful setting and supportive atmosphere made it a fantastic event. Together with the team from the Karkonosze National Park, we held a family-friendly festival that included lectures, workshops, and, of course, gardening. We planted 10 acres of butterfly-friendly plants, and in the autumn, we’ll create a habitat using limestone aggregate and more Sedum. We’ll always remember that day and the inspiring conversations we had with participants. Next year, we hope the Apollo butterfly will visit Niedamirów and enjoy the garden as much as we did!
Looking ahead, we’re already brainstorming ideas for next year’s Gardens for Apollo. If you’re active or live in the Western Sudeten region and would like to start a garden with us, we’d love to hear from you!
Conservation efforts are evolving with new and innovative approaches. One of our most exciting tools is the Naturschutzhunde, or “conservationdogs”. These specially trained dogs are helping us protect nature and endangered species, playing a vital role in our conservation projects. Their incredible sense of smell makes them indispensable partners in our mission to preserve biodiversity.
Dogs have long served as valuable companions, but their roles have expanded far beyond traditional uses like hunting or guarding. Today, dogs are involved in many fields, including law enforcement, rescue operations, and now, conservation. Over the last 30 years, they have become essential in research and environmental protection projects, including the LIFEApollo2020 project and the Verein NATURSCHUTZHUNDE.
What Are Naturschutzhunde?
Naturschutzhunde are detection dogs trained to find specific wildlife or environmental clues. These dogs can detect traces of elusive or rare species through clues like droppings, nests, feathers, or seeds. For example, they can identify the presence of wolves, helping to inform herding protection measures. They also help track species like lynxes, golden jackals, and wildcats, assisting conservationists in learning more about their distribution.
Here, Naturschutzhunde have become key members of our team, helping us monitor and protect endangered species. These dogs allow us to gather accurate data efficiently while minimizing human disturbance in sensitive areas.
Training the Dogs
Training a Naturschutzhund is a complex process. These dogs learn to detect species-specific markers like larvae, droppings, or nests. Once trained, they can cover large areas quickly and with great accuracy, detecting traces of wildlife that are invisible to the human eye.
The training, based on positive reinforcement, teaches dogs to recognize specific scents and clearly indicate them to their handlers. Suitable candidates for this work are physically fit dogs that enjoy using their noses and can work long hours in challenging terrain. This certification process ensures that the dogs meet high standards before they begin working in the field.
The Role of Naturschutzhunde in the LIFEApollo2020 Project
In the LIFEapollo2020 project, we rely on Naturschutzhunde to monitor and protect Apollo butterfly populations in Austria. This initiative aims to restore the butterfly’s populations across Austria, Poland, and the Czech Republic. The dogs play a critical role in these monitoring efforts across 15 regions in Austria.
How Naturschutzhunde Help:
Finding Larvae: Our dogs are trained to locate Apollo larvae in Sedum-rich areas, which are often difficult to reach. The dogs’ ability to detect larvae is essential to our work.
Accessing Remote Areas: Many of the Apollo’s habitats are located in mountainous regions that are hard for humans to access. Naturschutzhunde help us cover these areas more effectively than human teams alone.
Achievements So Far
Thanks to Naturschutzhunde, we were able to detect Apollo butterfly larvae in several of the 15 areas we surveyed in 2023 and 2024. This has allowed us to protect key regions where butterfly populations remain active.
Naturschutzhunde have proven to be highly effective in various other conservation tasks as well. For instance, they are employed to locate the carcasses of birds and bats near wind turbines, helping us assess the impact of wind farms on protected species. Their superior sense of smell allows them to detect smaller remains in less time than humans.
Researching rare and hidden species often presents challenges, as direct observation is difficult. Scientists typically rely on indirect evidence like droppings, hair, or remains of prey. Naturschutzhunde are excellent at locating these traces, working much faster and more accurately than human researchers. Several of our dog-handler teams are already engaged in scientific projects, further advancing conservation efforts.
Conclusion
Naturschutzhunde have become vital partners in our mission to protect endangered species. Their work in the LIFEapollo2020 project highlights how effective they are in helping safeguard wildlife and fragile ecosystems. As we look to the future, we are confident that these conservation dogs will continue to play an essential role in preserving Austria’s—and Europe’s—natural heritage.
In a world where the connection between humans and nature is more critical than ever, Naturschutzhunde are helping bridge that gap. Their unique abilities allow them to protect endangered species while fostering a deeper bond between humans and the natural world
In June, the Krkonoše Mountains briefly became home to the very rare Apollo butterfly. This butterfly is a relic from the Ice Age, and its natural habitat consists of sunlit mountain rocks with an abundance of flowering plants. It disappeared from Czech nature nearly a century ago due to the loss of its natural environment. Now, the Apollo butterfly faces an imminent threat even in our neighboring countries: in the Slovak and Polish Carpathians or the Austrian Alps. Their decline is also accelerated by climate change, as it’s simply getting too warm for them.
Conservation efforts to save the Parnassius Apollo
Our nature conservationists are trying to reverse this population decline by preserving its original habitats, but they are also working to create new, backup environments. Such a place has now been established in the Krkonoše Mountains. Since August 2022, intensive work has been done to clear the rocks, which will serve as a substitute habitat for these iconic butterflies. Soon after, the area saw the appearance of many flowering plants, and with them, butterflies such as the critically endangered small blue butterfly in Krkonoše, the swallowtail, the purple emperor, and numerous ringlets.
Testing the new habitat: Male-only butterfly release
It was time to let the site be tested by its future residents. For this purpose, a total of 100 males from a rescue breeding program were released, having already fulfilled their reproductive role, to live out their days here. Why only males, you might ask? Once each male fertilizes a female, he no longer has any purpose in breeding, whereas the females still need to lay eggs for the next generation and are essential for maintaining the population. If the release didn’t succeed, we wouldn’t be left with anything if we had released the entire population. The butterflies were numbered with a marker before release, both for monitoring purposes and to diminish their value to potential collectors.
Our method of releasing only males was met with skepticism shortly after being publicized. There were speculations that the males would search for females and leave the site, skewing our results. Today, we have processed data from repeated expert monitoring, and we can confirm that these theories did not hold true. Even in nature, male butterflies naturally hatch a few days earlier than females and must wait for them. The males behaved entirely normally on the site throughout the three weeks of regular monitoring, with no observed “flights” away from the site, and they remained quite vital for a long time.
Positive behavior and site attachment
The butterflies exhibited their typical behavior, including active patrolling, territorial battles with other males, and most importantly, spreading out across the site and evenly occupying the entire area with frequent contact among each other. This is crucial for them because, as has been observed in practice many times, this phenomenon leads to a stronger attachment of the butterflies to the site. In human terms, their logic says, “There are a lot of other butterflies here, so there must be more females too, and I like that.” Of course, in this case, we tricked the poor males a bit. However, the positive monitoring results indicate that the Apollos didn’t catch on to our ruse.
In summary, the monitoring showed absolutely great results, so we can consider the management part of the project focused on the adults to be successful (though not yet complete!). However, this is not the end of the story, as there still needs to be enough space provided for the Apollo butterflies’ host plants. This is another reason why we haven’t yet released the butterflies in full; everything must be perfect for this demanding butterfly to thrive in the Krkonoše Mountains.
This post is written by Maria Gezela and Karolina Baranowska and includes a report about their volunteering experience for LIFE Apollo2020 in Poland.
Honestly, not everyone knows what species monitoring is like. That is why we are going to tell you a little bit about it. First of all, we were volunteers for two weeks in the Apollo Volunteering Program that was created in collaboration with Karkonoski Park Narodowy and Klub Przyrodników.
We started our journey on the first of July and got to know everyone that had also participated in this program and read about the biology of Parnassius apollo. On the second day, we got to know Roman, Grzegorz and Dariusz from Karkonoski Park Narodowy and we learned a lot about Parnassius apollo from them. Firstly, we visited Karkonoski Bank Genów in Jagniątków, where there is Parnassius apollo rearing and we saw and got to know about the process.
Then we went to two quarries “Gruszka” and “Miłek” and we had a chance to release the imago form. It was the first time when we had held the butterflies in our hands. We all tried to be gentle with them, they were so beautiful and really special, not like any other butterfly. On the third day we got to know all the reintroduction sites, how they look, where Sedum maximum and nectar-producing plants are. There were eleven reintroduction sites such as: Chojnik, Podzamcze, Sobiesz, Wały Cieplickie, Piastów, Krzyż Jubileuszowy, Góra Szybowcowa, Kamieniołom “Gruszka”, Kamieniołom “Miłek”, Bobrów and Kruczy Kamień.
On Thursday, we all went to Kruczy Kamień and we finally got a chance to learn the transect and CMR methods. Also It was our first time catching butterflies and it was such an amazing experience, which we learned a lot from. Then we went to Karczma Sądowa in Uniemyśl, which is Klub Przyrodników field station. We had some coffee and talked a little bit, got to know the story behind the restoration of this place, because a few years ago it was completly ruined.
On friday, Jacek, Dominika and Ola were monitoring Parnassius apollo in Cieplice, Piastów, Sobiesz, Podzamcze and Chojnik. Karolina and I went to the Klimatyczne Karkonosze event and we colored wooden magnets, earrings and keychains that looked like Parnassius apollo with the children. Also, we educated them about our extraordinary butterfly.
On Saturday, we monitored Parnassius apollo in Kruczy Kamień and it was a huge success for us, we catched 15 individuals in which 5 were new (2 females with sphragis and 3 males). After Kruczy Kamień we went to Bobrów where something funny happened. We all decided to go around this small part of the forest, but we didn’t expect that we would have to climb back to get to our car. In the end we finally got to our car, but it was so tiring. On Sunday, Jacek, Dominika and Ola went to Krzyż Jubileuszowy and Góra Szybowcowa. Karolina and I went to “Gruszka” and “Miłek” quarries. That day, the weather wasn’t good, so we saw nothing. Then we had to say goodbye to Ola and Dominik because they were going back home that day. That’s how our first week ended, we learned a lot about monitoring and honestly about everything from Roman, Grzegorz, Dariusz and Kamila. They helped us a lot and to be honest, they are not only great teachers but also funny and helpful.
The second week, we started with another monitoring session. Karolina and I went to Chojnik, Wały Cieplickie and Piastów. Jacek went to Sobiesz and Podzamcze. Despite the beautiful weather, we couldn’t find any butterflies in Wały Cieplickie, Piastów, Sobiesz and Podzamcze. Just as we needed to end the monitoring, I found one dead Parnassius apollo… right beside me. It was a female with sphragis and she had a number 298 on her wings.
Of course, our day couldn’t end without some adventure. On the way back from Chojnik to our car, we found sheep in trouble. The sheep was tangled in an electric fence, which we had to turn off and free her from. We also met new volunteers – Ola, Łucja and Magda. We went for monitoring until Wednesday with the interns – Julia and Justyna. For a moment we felt like teachers, because we tried to tell them everything about the butterfly, his biology, monitoring etc.
Thursday and Friday were days off for me and Karolina. On those days, we were able to rest and relax. Beside me, because I needed to defend my bachelor’s degree and I had a lot of problems on my way back to Jelenia Góra, because there was a problem with all trains to and from Wrocław. Luckily, my mum came to rescue me and drove me back to Jelenia Góra.
On Thursday, we also had the opportunity to learn a few things while catching bats. It was a great experience and we all had a lot of fun. On friday, Karolina and I went hiking. We did 16 km and also we were really lucky to see the blackgrouse on our way. It was shocking.
Saturday was our last day of monitoring, Karolina, Jacek and I went to “Gruszka” and “Miłek”, sadly we couldn’t find any butterflies. Magda, Łucja and Ola went to Bobrów, Sobiesz, Podzamcze and there were no butterflies. This last day was hard for us, because our volunteer time was coming to an end but we all had a lot of fun through all these days and it was such an amazing experience.
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