Why doesn’t the Zoo release their butterflies?
There is a potential threat of spreading disease to the wild populations of butterflies. Parasites are present in he natural population, which are not a problem until there is captive breeding at high densities. When the apparently healthy butterflies are released, they can act as carriers and spread disease. The parasite may not show up for several generations, so diseased butterflies may be released before the discovery of a harmful parasite. “Farmed” butterflies from other states are also genetically different from our native wild butterflies. Releasing farmed-raised butterflies could therefore change, or “muddy” the genetics of our local population, which would not be beneficial.
