POACHED ORCHID

Native orchids are a natural treasure and their survival can only be assured by educating the public about their complex life cycles and vulnerability. Removing them from their native habitat almost invariably results in their death. By helping to distribute the following post, we can hopefully deter this behavior from happening in the future.

Parks Canada is asking for the public’s assistance in solving the following crime at Fathom Five National Marine Park:  Between 2 June and 10 June, 2017 a culturally significant and locally rare species of orchid was removed from Flowerpot Island. It is believed this Large Round-Leaved Orchid, Platanthera orbiculata, had been specifically targeted for its rarity.  This particular plant had been present in the Park for over a decade and was utilized by Parks Canada staff for educational purposes.  Anyone with information on this or other violations should contact Parks Canada Dispatch at 1-877-852-3100. More…