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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Alex Woodward

Butterfly sanctuary closing indefinitely after wave of right-wing conspiracy theories and threats

AFP via Getty Images

A butterfly sanctuary near the US-Mexico border has closed indefinitely amid ongoing threats and conspiracy theories raising baseless allegations that it is involved with human trafficking.

The National Butterfly Center – a private nature preserve in the Rio Grande Valley – has been a frequent target of far-right conspiracy theorists falsely accusing the centre of supporting a border-crossing trafficking ring, accusations that trade in the same false claims that propelled the QAnon movement.

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