The Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm is to open a brand-new unique
exhibition entitled ‘Rainforest Realm’ featuring a Spectacled Caiman
and other animals that originate from the rainforests of Central
America!
The magnificent male Caiman would normally live in and around
‘cenotes’, natural sinkholes formed by the collapse of limestone that
fill up with groundwater. Caimans are opportunist hunters, feeding on
a variety of prey including crabs, fish, small mammals and
invertebrates. Also planned to be on display in ‘Rainforest Realm’
will be an Emerald Tree Boa Snake. 10 endangered Orange Blackfoot Dart
Frogs, a Basilisk Lizard, 2 Baby Yellow Spotted Amazon River Turtles
and an Oustalets Chameleon from Madagascar.
At the heart of the exhibition is a replicated ‘cenote’. Complete with
a water cascade and a deep and shallow pool. The ancient Maya sourced
water from the cenotes which were respected as sacred places were symbolic
of both life and death. The creatures found in and around a cenote
include frogs, iguanas, and crocodiles. 38 years ago, the owner of Stratford Butterfly Farm, Clive Farrell, had a dream to create an attraction that would introduce visitors to
the wonderment of butterflies.
The Butterfly Farm opened to the public in 1985 and has since welcomed over 4 million visitors.
In 1991 Clive, and his partner Ray Harberd created the Fallen Stones Butterfly
Farm, in Southern Belize, named after the nearby site of ancient Maya
ruins, Lubaantun, the place of the fallen stones. This connection
between the Maya and Stratford Butterfly Farm is the inspiration
behind the new exhibition ‘Rainforest Realm’. Clive will officially
open the exhibition at 10 am on Friday 31 March with specially invited
guests. The butterfly farm will then be open from 10:30 am to the
public.
Jane Kendrick, Marketing Manager at Stratford Butterfly Farm said, “We
are delighted to open this exciting new exhibition which will enhance
our visitor experience. At present no other attraction in the UK or
Europe is housing its reptiles in a cenote so this is a
one-of-a-kind display. The project has taken 14 months to complete. And
will enable our visitors to see this beautiful predator in a fun and
safe environment”.
The Butterfly Farm will host several activities for the Easter
Holidays from 1 to 16 April including the chance to visit the new
the exhibition, plus Mini-Beast Handling Sessions, demonstrations in the
Discovery Zone and a competition to win family entrance tickets to the
Butterfly Farm. Holt Hall Apiary’s beekeeper Matthew Ingram will be in
the Discovery Zone along with his bees on Wednesday 12 April.
Visitors will be able to interact and learn all about these wonderful
pollinators.
To see hundreds of spectacular butterflies, insects, reptiles, and
spiders visit the Butterfly Farm from 10 am to 6 pm. The last entry is at 5.30 pm.
Open every day of the week except Christmas Day. For more information including purchasing gift vouchers, admission prices, and group rates,
please visit the website at www.butterflyfarm.co.uk or telephone on 01789 299288.
