Bantimurung National Park's butterflies in danger

By Jupriadi

MAROS, South Sulawesi (JP): Butterflies, one of the most beautiful species in the world, are widely found in Bantimurung, Maros, 45 kilometers north of Ujungpandang.

Researcher Mappatoba Sila of Hasanuddin University, Ujungpandang, revealed last month that 50 percent of butterfly species found in Bantimurung were declared extinct. A survey shows that of the 270 species registered, only 143 have survived. He said that the decline in the number of species was caused by habitat destruction and pesticide residues. Another cause was large-scale illegal hunting of the butterflies.

Data shows that the extinction of more than 100 species of Bantimurung butterflies started in the early 1970s. It was marked by the illegal hunting for commercial purposes. The condition declined further due to the use of pesticides in rice fields.

Mappatoba said that butterflies are very sensitive to pesticides, especially those containing the poisonous hydrocarbon fluor that is resistant in the environment. "These are the two main causes for the extinction of the majority of Bantimurung butterfly species," he added.

The extinction of over 100 butterfly species is deeply lamented. Bantimurung is famous among butterfly lovers worldwide. Other areas include England's Syion Park, Park California, Holland's Noordzee Zoo and Scandinavian and North American regions.

"Bantimurung's condition can damage its image as an area that was on a par with countries having butterfly habitats," Mappatoba said.

Zoologist Alfred Russell Wallace from England was the first to discover the area of butterflies in 1956. He greatly admired the beauty and the variety of Bantimurung butterflies and called them the king among butterflies.

Edi Djuharsyah, chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Agency in South Sulawesi, is among those who strongly deplore the present condition. He said that now, Bantimurung butterflies may no longer be on the agenda of world tourism sites. The attraction of Bantimurung butterflies lies in the softness and beauty of their wings. This made the area a foreign tourism destination as well as an area of research for foreign experts with various disciplines of science.

Bantimurung butterflies can be found in the Bantimurung Nature Tourism Area, the Bantimurung Nature Preservation Area, the Pattanuang Cave Tourism Park, the Karaenta Nature Preservation Area and the Leangleang Archeological Cave.

According to Edi, there are five types of rare butterflies which are protected in the area: Troides hypolitus, Troides helena, Troides helipron, Popolio adamanthis and Chetosia myrana. It is regrettable, Edi said, that these five protected species are commodities in great demand on international markets.

Edi said the agency has ordered 500 cocoons from the Windu Palu National Park Support Zone in Central Sulawesi, where various types of plants are being grown as a natural habitat for butterflies. "Some 7,500 seeds of kembang sepatu flower plants have been planted (in Bantimurung National Park). It has become a playground for butterflies," he said.

Mappatoba said that the government has made efforts to prevent the extinction of various species of butterflies. For example, by breeding butterflies and protecting Bantimurung from illegal hunters.

"People were already aware of the threat of extinction of the butterflies a long time ago. The problem is that limited funds do not allow the government to do much about it. The hunters are shrewd. They now export the butterflies by ship through Bali, where checks by customs are not too strict. Orders from Europe and the U.S. are tempting because they range from hundreds of thousands to millions of rupiah," Mappatoba said.

He said that one of the sought-after butterfly species with foreign collectors is Ornithoptera sp, a pair of which fetches US$1,000 (Rp 8.5 million). The Papilio adamanthis king butterfly and the Chetosia myrine fairy sell for Rp 300,000 each.

Beddu, a butterfly lover and researcher living in Bantimurung, said that in the 1930s, the sight of hundreds of butterflies flying low and in groups in Bantimurung with its waterfall was a daily occurrence. Nowadays, in order to see butterflies flying in groups one must go into the forest. "Do not expect to see butterflies in the waterfall area. You must enter the forest to see the butterflies," said Beddu.

Beddu said the extinction of Bantimurung butterflies was the government's responsibility. He thinks the government has not shown enough seriousness in protecting the invaluable natural wealth. The proof? The Butterfly Museum and Park built in 1992 has been left to crumble.

"It is not only a matter of saving the butterflies. Even the museum building is neglected," he said.