After days of searching for someone who could help, two people drove an hour with a pair of monarch butterflies to Cottontail Cottage Wildlife Rehab (@cottontailwildlife).
One monarch was missing a large section of its hindwing. After a careful donor-wing repair, the butterfly flew, paused for nectar, and then disappeared into the distance.
Here's what to know
In an Instagram post from Bridgette of Cottontail Cottage, the creator said that, despite a donor-wing stash that was "VERY low right now," she still had an almost perfect match from another male monarch.
Bridgette said the monarch was "missing a huge portion of his hindwing." She wrote, "Butterfly wings don't grow back or heal, but sometimes a damaged wing can be repaired using a donor wing."
"It doesn't have to be pretty or perfect, it just has to work," she wrote. "And his WORKED. He flew!!!"
She said that after the repair, the butterfly "stopped for some nectar, hung out for a little bit and then he was gone."
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Bridgette's work drew widespread praise in the comments, as well as many willing helpers.
"I found a deceased monarch," one commenter wrote. "I'm happy to send for your wing bank."
More background
A second butterfly made the trip, too. The creator described it as "his little travel buddy" and said its "wings never fully unfurled," so she kept it at Cottontail Cottage for more care while she waited to see whether its condition might improve.
Bridgette also used the comments section to address concerns about butterfly disease and handling. Some users jumped to the conclusion that the rescue was hasty and possibly skipped steps.
"Yes, we have a microscope. Yes, I already tested him for OE. (He's negative)," she wrote, adding, "I've been doing this for over 15 years and butterfly wing repairs for over 10."
She noted that the short video did not show "the entirety of the medical assessment."
The creator said, "A lot of people don't even know I rehab butterflies, but somehow every single year one finds its way here."
Some commenters were not even aware of this type of rehab.
"I have never seen someone help an injured butterfly," a commenter shared.
What can be done?
Even with limited donor wings left, Bridgette still matched a replacement to the monarch's badly damaged hindwing. She also pointed viewers to a specific learning resource.
"If you're curious about how to fix butterfly wings yourself," she wrote. "I highly recommend looking up 'Live Monarch Foundation - How to Fix a Butterfly Wing Tutorial' on YouTube."
She called the 19-year-old video "still the BEST tutorial I've found." Another way to help is to donate to wing banks like Bridgette's at Cottontail Wildlife.
At the same time, her work may have inspired the next generation.
"My oldest (6 years old) says she wants to be a butterfly doctor," a commenter wrote. "I love when I see things like this, because I think maybe one day…"
Where can I learn more?
If this butterfly rescue caught your attention, there are more vibrant examples of hands-on monarch care and the broader work of protecting the species.
• At New York's Sweetbriar Nature Center, an unbelievable wing transplant gave an injured monarch another chance.
• In Pacific Grove, California, volunteers mounted a massive effort to save the city's overwintering monarchs.
• At a threatened sanctuary in Mexico, volunteers made astonishing discoveries protecting monarch habitat.
• In Maine, the Milkweed Man is on a long-running quest to help monarchs.
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