In-situ Conservation

Tropical Wings Zoo is at the forefront of in-situ conservation of British Butterflies. Over the last five years, in conjunction with the Essex Biodiversity Group, we have bred and released back into Essex the impressive Purple Emperor Butterfly (Apatura iris). Between 2003 and 2007, with the help of the Forestry Commission, we have released over 80 Purple Emperors into several suitable locations within Essex. A further 20 adults were released by Tropical Wings Zoo in 2008. The results have been very encouraging. Since 2008, wild-bred Purple Emperors have been recorded in double-figure totals at these sites for the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Over the next few years this elusive butterfly will be monitored to see if it has truly established a self-sustaining colony or whether further reinforcements are needed. Either way, this beautiful butterfly is back in this part of Essex for the first time in 60 years.

The next aim of the Essex Biodiversity Action plan was to bring back a species believed to have been extinct in Essex since the 1970s, the Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages). In May 2010 our entomologist collected some female Dingy Skippers from a strong population in Surrey and successfully reared a good number of larvae in a purpose built enclosure at the Zoo. These will be released into specially managed glades this year (2011).

Another two species of butterfly, Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus malvae) and Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina), will be bred at the Zoo in 2011 and these will also be released back into suitable locations within Essex. Our goal is to not only stop the extinction of these five butterfly species in our county and to have self sustaining populations in the wild, but also to make the public aware that we have locally endangered species on our doorstep through education and information boards in our British Butterfly Conservation Area.