The new 'Butterfly Glade' is dedicated to the loving memory of a very special little girl, Isobel Rose Parmenter. She recently passed away aged just 22 months. Isobel spent seven months, one third of her short life, in hospital. For five and a half months, doctors didn't know what was wrong with her until finally in August 2014, after many tests, she was diagnosed with the extremely rare condition Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH). Unfortunately, after putting up such a lengthy brave and courageous battle and trying three different types of chemotherapy, Isobel sadly passed away on the 5th October 2014.
Her parents Michael and Suzanne are so proud of the fight for life Isobel displayed and wanted something special and permanent to commemorate their beautiful daughter's life. The Zoo was the one place Isobel managed to visit on several occasions in her short life and her parents wanted to keep those special memories alive with something extra special here. After setting up a memorial fund for Isobel, family and friends came together and donated so much in Isobel's memory, that they are all able to dedicate this new exhibit especially to her. It was also important to Isobel's parents that in doing this, they could raise awareness of this horrible, rare disease so that no other child and their families would have to endure the excruciating pain and heartache Isobel's family are experiencing right now.
Izzy, "a butterfly to remind us even though we are apart, your spirit is always with us, forever in our hearts".
Visitors will journey through the butterfly house with the chance to see the butterflies up close to enjoy the amazing colours of these delicate insects. The location for this exciting new exhibit is next to our Cherry crowned mangabey's; just around the corner from the bottom viewing area for 'Bears of the Rising Sun'. Not only will the exhibit house the beautiful butterflies but it will also be home to a number of colourful exotic plants and flowers. This will also be another self sufficient enclosure with a bio-mass boiler contributing to our green zoo!
For further information on LCH, please contact Histiocytosis UK & The Histiocytosis Research Trust, Litton House, Saville Road, Peterborough, PE3 7PR Tel: 07850 740241 Email: histio@histiouk.org Registered in England and Wales Histiocytosis Research Trust Charity Number: 1004546, Histiocytosis UK Charity Number 1158789 and http://www.histiouk.org
Main image shows the Heliconuis charitonius butterfly also known as the Zebra long winged butterfly. Photo opposite of the Heliconuis melpomene butterfly with the common name of the Piano key butterfly.
Free education sessions!
Are you a teacher who’s class is learning about butterflies and lifecycles? Colchester Zoo offers free educational sessions for school visits, including our new Lifecycle Session. This educational session lets pupils investigate how different animals grow and develop through a variety of hands-on activities including examining real eggs and getting up close with minibeasts. Afterwards, visit the Butterfly Glade for more up close student learning.
Book your session now.