Dozens of fast-flying butterflies
released in a secret location in Northamptonshire forest after disappearing in
1976
Thu 24 May 2018 09.07 BSTFirst
published on Thu 17 May 2018 12.26 BST
It mysteriously vanished from
England after the long hot summer of 1976, but the chequered skipper butterfly
is taking to the skies again as part of a bid to revive 20 endangered species.
Several dozen mostly female
butterflies have been collected in Belgium and released in a secret location in
Rockingham forest, Northamptonshire.
What sounds like a simple
operation has taken months of meticulous preparation by Butterfly Conservation scientists,
who have surveyed suitable habitat, advised on how forest rides are mown, and
identified the ideal region of Europe that best matches the climate and
vegetation in Northamptonshire.
“It is a privilege to help return
this charismatic little butterfly to its former stronghold of Rockingham
forest,” said Dr Nigel Bourn, Butterfly Conservation’s director of science. “It
has taken many years and a lot of hard work from many people to get to this
point and I am very proud to be part of the team collecting these beautiful
butterflies and returning them to England at last.”
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