A zebra swallowtail butterfly has been spotted in Toronto's High Park for the first time in over a century. This rare sighting was made by butterfly enthusiast Crystal Byrne during a visit to observe various butterfly species in the area. "This stunning black and white butterfly came out. And I was like, that's a zebra swallowtail," Byrne said. "Never did I think that I was going to see one there."

The zebra swallowtail was last recorded in 1896, according to Bob Yukich, a member of the Toronto Entomologists' Association. Byrne, who has dedicated time to maintaining the black oak savannah—an endangered ecosystem in High Park—expressed her excitement about the discovery. "I feel like I spent a lot of time in that park … it felt like a little gift that that land gave back," she said.

Historically, the zebra swallowtail was common in southwestern Ontario, particularly around Windsor, in the early 1900s. However, habitat loss due to development and deforestation has led to a significant decline in the species. Yukich noted that the butterfly's host plant, the Pawpaw, has also become less common in the area.

Since the 1980s, approximately 74 butterfly species have been documented in High Park, according to the High Park Nature Centre. Byrne described the zebra swallowtail's presence as a "beacon of hope," especially since the Pawpaw plant is not prevalent in the region. She observed that other butterflies, such as cabbage whites, were territorial and often chased the zebra swallowtail away when it landed.

The decline of butterfly populations has been attributed to habitat loss and the widespread use of insecticides. Monarch butterflies, another species facing significant population challenges, require international cooperation for conservation efforts, as highlighted by Ryan Norris, a professor at the University of Guelph.

The zebra swallowtail is classified as a "specially protected" species under Ontario's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. It is illegal to harm, capture, transport, or kill this butterfly. Yukich emphasized the importance of this sighting, stating, "Butterflies are declining, and when you get something like that, it's returning and not disappearing. It's fascinating."

The zebra swallowtail's return to High Park serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by butterfly populations and the need for continued conservation efforts.