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In the mountains of Latakia, Syria, Mudar Salimeh devotes much of his time to searching for butterflies. A geologist, artist, and nature lover, Mudar's fascination with butterflies began in the spring of 2018 when a great number of caterpillars appeared in his art studio. Over time, the caterpillars transformed into a cloud of white butterflies, sparking Mudar's quest to find and document these beautiful, elusive creatures.

Syria's civil war has caused extensive ecological damage, affecting far more than just human lives. Then, in February 2023, an earthquake struck the region of Latakia.

Spring 2024 arrives and butterflies start to emerge, we join Mudar as he creates an encyclopedia of the different butterfly species in Western Syria - a task made challenging by the shadows of war.

Photo credit: Mudar Salimeh From his blog: https://syrianbutterflies.wordpress.com/

Field Recordings by Mudar Salimeh Music by Samer Saem Eldahr a.k.a. Hello Psychaleppo https://www.psychaleppo.com/ Lepidoptera Sound Recordings: Maria Brænder

Produced by Nanna Hauge Kristensen A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4