Dead Atala Found at Sebastian Inlet State Park
The following letter was sent to Ken Torres and Alexis Keller of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection by our Miami Blue Chapter of NABA President, Dennis J Olle on July 8, 2024.
Dear Manager Torres: I wanted to bring something to your attention. On 4th of July a number Atala (Eumaeus atala) were discovered dead or dying at the entrance to Sebastian Inlet State Park. See attached photos and note I have included a pic of a vigorous Atala for comparison. We can only suspect some type of poison was involved, perhaps spraying for mosquitoes, either that morning or the evening before. Regardless, this is inexcusable. As you know, the Atala is one of the rarest butterflies in Florida and was thought to have been extirpated from the U.S. only a few decades ago.
I would very much appreciate your investigation and explanation of this event. As your will appreciate, it is not consistent with the appropriate operation of a state park.
I look forward to hearing from you in this regard.
Thx, DJO
Healthy Atala
Healthy Atala
