Butterfly theft threatens ecology

Butterfly theft threatens ecology

PALU, Central Sulawesi: Rampant theft of rare butterflies is
threatening the ecology of the Lore Lindu National Park,
according to the agency managing the facility.

Agency head Banjar Yulianto Laban told Antara news agency that
theft and smuggling of the protected butterflies have become so
alarming lately that they could affect the future of other plants
and animals in the park.

The butterflies, each of which could fetch up to Rp 25,000
(US$2.30), were believed to have been smuggled to Bali before
they were exported to countries like Japan and Britain, Yulianto
said.

The most popular butterflies among the syndicates are the blue
wing (papilio blumei), black wing (papilio sataspe)
and yellow wing (danaus aspasia), he said. (04)