How One Man Repopulated A Rare Butterfly Species In His Backyard (10 pics)

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Until biologist Tim Wong decided to repopulate it in his back yard

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The butterflies only feed on one plant – the California pipevine, so Wong transplanted it into his yard

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He built a greenhouse that had all the perfect conditions for butterflies to grow

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Then brought in 20 caterpillars

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And they began their long process of maturation

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Where a caterpillar forms a chrysalis, until it finally turns into a butterfly

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Now, 3 years later, Wong’s butterfly home is thriving and San Francisco is seeing more of these butterflies every day

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“Each year since 2012, we’ve seen more butterflies surviving in the garden, flying around, laying eggs, successfully pupating, and emerge the following year,” said Wong

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“That’s a good sign that our efforts are working!”