Bantimurung National Park's butterflies in danger

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.