gene pool and releases

[Michael Gochfeld]

Actually it's up to those who are commercially invested in 
butterfly release to demonstrate beyond a shadow of a doubt that there 
is no disruption to the gene pool nor harm to anyone at any time. 

Those who oppose it have NO OBLIGATION (in my not very humble view) to 
demonstrate that it is harmful.  

To my knowledge this has never been done.  

I think it IS safe to say that NABA opposes butterfly releases. 

Sing songs, throw rice, blow noise makers. But release butterflies, why?

In some Asian countries it is considered good luck to buy a bird at a 
market and release it----like a religious tribute. Naturally this spawns 
an active bird capture program so that there will always be a surplus of 
birds in the market for sale.  I'm sure the people who buy and release a 
bird feel they are doing the bird a favor by saving it from the tiny, 
crowded, dirty cages. 

I don't think it's an animal rights issue at all. 

M. Gochfeld

 
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