The Butterfly Journey
A touch of the exotic will be unveiled at Chester Zoo this weekend with the opening of a new attraction.
The zoo's Butterfly Journey - a new exhibit home to 500 colourful butterflies - will open up on Friday.
More than 30 different species of butterfly will make their home at the zoo.
The exhibit will be the largest zoo-based butterfly house in the UK and includes a stream, footbridge, butterfly-friendly planting and an emerging case where visitors will be able to watch the butterflies hatch from their pupae.
Exotic and native plants respectively have been used inside and outside of the new house including the unusual Cannonball tree and more well-known species such as lavender, hebes, sedum and daisies. Artificial plants with nectar tubes, which allow the butterflies to feed, can also be seen dotted throughout the enclosure.
Kevin Buley, Head of Zoo Programmes at Chester Zoo, said: "When most people think of butterflies, they tend to imagine some rather small, delicate creatures. I think our visitors will be pleasantly surprised to see just how big and colourful some of these species actually are.
"The butterflies can be dramatic and bright and give a real splash of colour. During the cold winter months, the house will also prove to be a tropical and exotic getaway for visitors looking to escape the cold."
Chester Zoo has received external funding towards Butterfly Journey from a number of sources. Biffaward, who distribute funding via the Landfill Communities Fund, is the main donor contributing towards the public pathways and some of the plants in the exhibit. Grosvenor Garden Centre has also contributed some of the native and tropical plants that will attract the butterflies.
Gillian French, Biffaward's Programme Manager said "Biffaward is delighted to help fund this unique exhibit, which provides visitors with an interactive and educational experience on their local garden environment."
Lynsey Jones, Assistant Development Manager said: "As a charity, we are delighted to receive vital funding from Biffaward, Grosvenor Garden Centre and other donors.
"The project will appeal to our younger audience as well as giving important environmental messages which ties in well with our donor's aims."
A book has also been produced to coincide with the opening of the exhibit. What am I? asked butterfly? is aimed at children aged three to six and tells the tale of a confused butterfly as he sets out on a quest to establish what he is.
For more information on Chester Zoo's Butterfly Journey visit www.chesterzoo.org
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