Southern Turkey butterfly thought extinct reappears after 20 years

A butterfly species long thought extinct has been reborn from its ashes after 20 years in the southern province of Adana, surprising the scientific community and environmentalists altogether.

The “Saimbeyli Blue,” named after its beautiful indigo wings and cyan abdomen, has been spotted by biologists who went to make observations on the district of Saimbeyli, a rich natural area located on the skirts of the Toros Mountains.

Zeynel Cebeci, a scholar at Çukurova University, said they were surprised to see the butterfly again, which was originally called “Teressa Blue.”

Cebeci also called for the organization of cultural zone to the area, which hosts around 160 out of the 400 butterfly varieties living in Turkey.

According to daily Milliyet, local associations are now preparing to promote imposing Saimbeyli Blue in the world.

“We should organize tours for butterfly observations, which are just starting to develop in our country. The fact that there is such a variety in this region means that the area has to be protected,” said Erol Atay, another biologist.

But unfortunately, Saimbeyli is one of the areas where many hydroelectric plants (HES) have already been constructed, while new ones are threatening to damage even more of the district’s unique nature.