The owner of a tropical butterfly farm is in a race against time to save hundreds of butterflies from freezing to death.
Clive Alcorn of Tropical World in Letterkenny has imported the exotic winged wonders which come from around the world.
But the businessman is now being forced to build a greenhouse within a greenhouse to protect the butterflies before his attraction opens this weekend.
Clive revealed that the freezing Irish weather has already claimed dozens of the stunning creatures.
“This time last year we were actually opening vents to let some cool air in.
“It’s simply too cold for the butterflies as they turn from pupa. They need about 25 degrees of heat and it is simply not there.
“We are trying to build a smaller greenhouse within a greenhouse so the butterflies can survive for the moment.
“We have a large greenhouse but it is simply too expensive to keep heated all the time during the freezing conditions. It takes about six litres of oil an hour.
“We’re now looking to build a greenhouse within a greenhouse so the butterflies can survive and the public can view them inside the smaller greenhouse.
“Hopefully the temperatures will increase soon and we can release the butterflies into the open area,” he said.
Clive, who opened Tropical World in 2011, imports his butterfly pupae from around the globe.
They include the Scarlett Swallowtail from the Philippines, the Blue Grassy Tiger from South Asia and the Great Mormon from South Asia.
Clive is still hopeful he can release 200 butterflies before he opens Tropical World this Friday and hundreds more throughout the season.
“We’re hoping the weather will pick up but the forecast is for more freezing temperatures and snow but that’s Donegal and Ireland for you.
“Hopefully it will turn and the place will come alive with some of the most butterflies on the planet.
“It’s a great sight to see children running around being able to see these magnificent creatures close-up,” he said.
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