Swallowtail  (Papilio machaon britannicus)

Threats

The habitat of this species has undergone a serious and sustained decline, with a shocking 1% of the original extent remaining today (4). The Fenland remaining on the Norfolk Broads is at great risk from falling water tables, pollution and the growth of scrub. The remaining habitat is significantly fragmented (4).

Conservation

The swallowtail population reached a low in the 1970s, but conservation action has since helped numbers to increase. The entire Broads area has been designated as an Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) whish enable grants to land owners to encourage environmentally friendly land-management. Provided that current management measures continue, the future for the swallowtail at the Norfolk Broads looks fairly promising (4).

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