Author: Florian Schmitz

The Plight of the Macedonian Grayling: A Critical Look at Europe’s Endangered Butterfly The Macedonian Grayling, Europe’s rarest butterfly, is teetering on the edge of extinction, with its only habitat nestled in the hills near the village of Pletvar in North Macedonia. This delicate creature plays a crucial role as a pollinator, ensuring the survival of numerous plant species and other insects in its ecosystem. Despite being protected by Macedonian law since 2011, the Grayling faces numerous threats, including habitat destruction from nearby marble quarries and rampant poaching. The lack of stringent enforcement of protective measures allows poachers to exploit…