Monarch Butterfly Soars Again After Rescue

Quick Smiles:

• A nature center in New York successfully repaired a monarch butterfly’s broken wing using a donor wing.
• The delicate procedure went viral online, inspiring hope and admiration from viewers worldwide.
• The rescued butterfly was able to continue its extraordinary migration journey.

An innovative wing transplant at Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown, NY, helped a monarch butterfly regain its strength for migration. The butterfly arrived with a severely damaged wing, but director Janine Bendicksen quickly found a solution by using a donor wing from another butterfly that had passed away.

Bendicksen described the process as incredibly delicate, using contact cement, corn starch, and a small wire to ensure the butterfly’s safety.

“It was so intricate, because this butterfly could fall apart if I pressed too hard,” Bendicksen told CBS News.

Fortunately, monarchs have no nerve endings or blood vessels in their upper wings, making the procedure possible. The center captured the surgery on video, where millions watched the butterfly receive gentle care and support, lighting up social media with positivity.

Bendicksen believes this was a groundbreaking moment, as her phone lit up with calls of interest from scientists across the country. She shared, “I’m getting calls from Minnesota, Costa Rica, California. This butterfly would have died if we didn’t try. We need hope in this world today.”

Thanks to this remarkable teamwork and compassion, the monarch was able to spread its wings and continue its inspiring migratory adventure.

Let’s celebrate the small miracles that bring hope and happiness to the world—share this uplifting story with friends who could use a smile today!

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