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)