CUBA-BUTTERFLIES First butterfly preserve opens in Cuba

Record ID: 151857

  • Title: CUBA-BUTTERFLIES First butterfly preserve opens in Cuba
  • Date: 21st June 2015
  • Summary: HAVANA, CUBA (JUNE 20, 2015) (REUTERS) RIBBON CUTTING AT BUTTERFLY PRESERVE AT QUINTA DE LOS MOLINOS PARK PEOPLE ENTERING PRESERVE AMID PLANTS VARIOUS CLOSE-UPS OF BUTTERFLIES (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BUTTERFLY RESERVE VISITOR AND CUBAN STUDENT, NAOMI FERNANDEZ, SAYING: "It's beautiful. I have never been in a place like this where I can find so many butterflies right next to
  • Embargoed: 6th July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Cuba
  • Country: Cuba
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAE110YUEMR0XVFPH0CA5WKV8GW
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Everyone knows Cuba is undergoing a metamorphosis. But as the globe shines its spotlight once again on the island nation for its politics, Cuba has moved to open its very first butterfly preserve in Havana.
    The Quinta de los Molinos Park in Havana debuted the space on Saturday (June 20.) In total, the preserve will host seven different species of butterflies and 30 varieties of plants, according to state media. It will be capable of hosting as many as 20 different species at one time. The space is seeking to preserve endangered species.
    Visitors on the first day were impressed.
    "It's beautiful. I have never been in a place like this where I can find so many butterflies right next to me. It's really beautiful. I like it," said Naomi Fernandez, a Cuban student and visitor to the preserve.
    The preserve and its amenities are a result of more than a year of labour. Guided tours will be provided to visitors.
    "It's marvelous that they've done this, that it's so well looked after, that they've made it so beautiful. You can see they put time into it, that there were people providing the exact information (for the construction), keeping in mind the use of the area for the people who come," said visitor Diego Ugalde.
    Specialists are on staff to ensure the safe development, reproduction and metamorphosis of the butterflies.
    "This is the first butterfly reserve in Cuba and it's very important. As I've said, (it's important) for teaching about the environment, so visitors know when they come to La Quinta de Los Molinos (park) the important role played by butterflies in nature," said Roberto Rodriguez, a scientist on staff.
    Also on display at the preserve will be the paintings of butterflies by Antonio Guerrero, one of the so-called "Cuban Five" who served a prison term in the United States for spying on anti-Castro extremist groups in the United States.
    He was freed on December 17 last year amid a prisoner swap as Cuba and Washington seek to normalise ties.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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