The Krohn Conservatory's butterfly show has been changed to accommodate the pandemic. There are the usual protocols like mask requirements, timed tickets, limited capacity and temperature checks. But on the other hand, Krohn's hours have been changed and the length of the show doubled to get more people in.
Krohn Manager Mark House says "Butterflies of Bali" will feature Indonesian butterflies and a total of 85 species from all over the world. "During the pandemic we are not exactly sure which species we are going to get," he says. "We know we're going to get butterflies, I just hesitate to name the ones that are not here yet."
The pandemic has caused "hiccups" for the butterfly business, House says. "We can only buy from approved butterfly vendors so that there's no poaching. These butterflies are not collected from the wild. They're captivity raised and that's important to us," he says. That's because poaching threatens the existence of wild populations.
The Krohn Conservatory deals with five different USDA-approved vendors. "Their ability to maintain staffing during the pandemic has altered the types of butterflies that are available, or would be available."
House says the show also includes some plants native to Bali that were grown at the conservatory.
The Butterflies of Bali runs through Sept. 9, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
