Whilst the country is currently in lockdown to help stop the spread of the virus, there is plenty going on behind the scenes at the Stratford Butterfly Farm.
Although the Farm is temporarily closed to the public, a core team of workers have stayed behind to look after the butterflies, birds, fish plants and other animals as well as maintaining the tropical conditions in which they live in.
Each morning the Farm is hosed down with water to maintain its 80% humidity. The temperature has been slightly lowered from its usual 26/27 degrees to 22 degrees, this will help the butterflies conserve their energy. The butterflies feed from the nectar flowers as well as from feeders dotted around the Farm which contain a 10% sugar solution. Newly hatched butterflies from inside the emerging case will continue to be released into the Flight Area. Throughout the year there are over 250 different species of tropical butterfly sourced from 20 different countries and approximately 2,000 free flying individual butterflies.
Prudence, the Green Iguana which originates from South America, is fed her daily fruit, the birds are fed their seeds and the fish fed their pellets. The daily feeding and cleaning routines are also maintained for the spiders, leafcutter ants, snakes and all the other amazing creatures that live in Minibeast Metropolis.
Richard Read, the Horticulturist, is also busy tending to the range of beautiful tropical plants in the greenhouse which are used to populate the Farm. These include Bird of Paradise, Fig, Hibiscus, Canna, Tecoma, Queens Tears, Swiss Cheese Plants and Philodendron Red Emerald.
The Farm has a fascinating link to the rainforests of Belize and the ancient Maya civilisation. Throughout the Farm there are over 30 replicated ancient Maya artefacts. Whist the Farm is temporarily closed the team will be using their creative skills to replicate a ‘Maya Temple Pyramid’, which will be revealed when the Farm re-opens.
Sarka Bohac, International Business Manager at the Farm is working from home and maintaining contact with all their UK and European customers as well as the tropical rainforest farmers. The tropical butterfly farmers are the source of the butterflies, all of which belong to sustainable based enterprises that support the livelihoods of local communities.
As a small independent business, the Farm would like to thank everyone for their support in these unprecedented times and wish everyone good health. The Farm looks forward to re-opening in happier times.
For more information, please visit the website at www.butterflyfarm.co.uk or telephone on 01789 299288.
