Kiwis are performing backyard surgeries on monarch butterflies, including wing transplants using super glue, in order to prolong their lives.
The operations often involve replacing the wings of butterflies who have suffered injuries or have been born with deformities.
Wings are cut to be symmetrical, or a new section of wing is grafted on to a damaged wing using super glue, with talcum powder on their fingers to avoid damage.
Jacqui Knight of the Monarch Butterfly Trust says while she had performed the surgeries herself in the past, she now advocates that people help the insects in other ways, like strengthening populations by encouraging swan plant growth.
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