A fly does not seem particularly special, but Fonseca’s seed fly (Botanophila fonsecai) actually is. The species exists in only one place in the world: a roughly six-mile strip of coastline near Dornoch, Scotland. But that area has recently been looked at for a new golf course by American billionaire Mike Keiser. He is the owner of several golf resorts around the world and hopes to put this one in the Botanophila fonsecai’s homeland, Coul Links, where there are stunning views of the nearby Scottish highlands. Many locals are on board with the idea, hoping it will bring investments and economic benefits. But others, including several conservation groups, are not as excited. Coul Links is part of an area designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which carries legal protections under Scottish law, reports The Verge. It is also protected under European Union designations as a Special Protection Area (SPA) and as a Ramsar site. The golf course would occupy only a portion of the SSSI at Coul Links, but campaigners say it is a key portion. Large organizations have recently joined together in opposition to the golf course, claiming it will damage a unique and surprisingly rich habitat.
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