ZSL London Zoo is all of a flutter this February half term

Keepers at ZSL London Zoo are all in a flutter over the Zoo's newly-refreshed Butterfly Paradise exhibit, ready for visitors this February half term.

Butterfly Paradise has undergone a transformation not unlike that of its inhabitants, emerging shiny and new for 2015 with updated features including a puparium where visitors can witness the fascinating lifecycle of butterflies and moths, right in front of their eyes.

Home to more than 30 different species of butterflies and moths from South America, South Africa and Southeast Asia, visitors will glimpse delicate glasswing butterflies (Greta oto), spot striking blue morpho butterflies (Morpho peleides), and spy stunning Atlas moths (Attacus atlas), one of the world's largest moths, with an impressive wing-span of up to 30cm (12in).

Designed to resemble a giant caterpillar, Butterfly Paradise is a walk-through tropical haven, carefully planted and heated to a balmy 27 degrees to provide the perfect habitat for the beautiful invertebrates, which fly freely overhead in the exotic environment.

Visitors will have the chance to get up close and learn more from ZSL London Zoo's Butterfly Ambassadors, who will be on-hand to share fun butterfly and moth facts.

Exclusively open for February half term only, visitors can explore the wonderful world of butterflies and moths in the 'Secret Garden' at ZSL London Zoo's activity den. Kids can collect nectar from flowers while wearing their own human-sized proboscis – a tongue-like stem that butterflies use to drink and eat - and discover all there is to know about the butterfly and moth lifecycle with fun interactive models.

ZSL London Zoo, part of international conservation charity the Zoological Society of London, opened the world's first Insect House in 1881. Predominantly featuring butterflies and moths, it has been proudly celebrating and conserving these threatened invertebrates ever since, including supporting butterfly breeding centres in Costa Rica and creating wild habitats at ZSL London Zoo to help native species.

There's something for everyone to enjoy at ZSL London Zoo this half term, find out more and book a visit now at www.zsl.org

-ENDS-

Editors' Notes

High resolution images of Butterfly Paradise at ZSL London Zoo available to download here:

https://zslondon.sharefile.com/d/s304ab51a8074da8b

Media Contact

Rebecca Blanchard

E: Rebecca.blanchard@zsl.org

T: 0207 449 6236

Butterfly Paradise

Butterfly Paradise is a tropical walk-through exhibit, which is home to more than 30 different species of butterflies and moths. With no barriers between visitors and the animals, guests can get up close with the incredible animals as they are immersed in the tropical environment.

For more information, visit www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/butterfly-paradise

Conserving Butterflies

More than 160,000 species of butterflies and moths are currently known to exist in the world, and more are thought to be awaiting discovery. However, these insects are threatened across the world by climate change, changes in land-use and farming practices and habitat loss. In the UK, our native species are in decline and of the 59 butterfly species native to Britain; five have become extinct in the last 150 years. Find out more herehttp://www.zsl.org/node/12956

ZSL

Founded in 1826, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an international scientific, conservation and educational charity whose mission is to promote and achieve the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats. Our mission is realised through our ground-breaking science, our active conservation projects in more than 50 countries and our two Zoos, ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. For more information visit www.zsl.org