BBC website Wedding Release of Butterflies

[Katrina]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-41331682

Good that something negative about this is hitting mainstream news

[David M]

Quite. Interesting too to note this comment:

It (BC) also warned that releasing non-native species was illegal

This increasing trend needs to be more closely monitored. You wouldn't release hummingbirds so why should Monarchs be any different?

[essexbuzzard]

Any publicity regarding this the regrettable increase in this activity is welcome. Where do they get these butterflies from, for a wedding, to order? I'm in no way suggesting the people actually releasing them at weddings are guilty of anything, other than being a but naive. But somebody must be breeding them, for this purpose, and they clearly have no regard for the butterflies' welfare.

[badgerbob]

I've just put into google 'Butterflies at Weddings' and this company openly advertises a potentially illegal activity!!

http://www.butterflywedding.co.uk/

There seems to be several American companies doing it too so another pathetic trend that has come over 'the pond'!!

All the photos show Painted Ladies so it isn't clear whether Monarchs are ever used with this lot. Still pretty sad though that some people have to exploit live creatures in this way.