Incentives are Imperative
There is a solution for saving the Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing butterfly that is sometimes overlooked, and that is to legalize the trade of the butterfly. While the butterfly is on the CITES list and it is illegal to trade it, there is still quite a bit of trading that goes on. If local clans in the Oro province are incentivized to save the butterfly through monetary gains, we may be able to save the butterfly. People living in the provinces can make conditions sufficient for the butterfly’s health so that the butterfly population grows. Then, the economic value that the butterfly brings can be utilized, through the sale of the butterfly to conservatories and museums, and those who helped conserve the butterfly can be compensated. This solution is a win-win for both the people of Papua New Guinea and the Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing Butterfly. (Haddad, 2019)
Partners with Melanesians:
They have a goal of conservation and community development in Papua New Guinea. They focus specifically on the Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing with their efforts of conservation, and their main project site is in the Mangalas Plateau. The conservation area is the largest one in Papua New Guinea, approximately 360,000 hectares.
CHARLES HARBOTTLE the Butterfly Conservationist: Charles Harbottle has dedicated his life to saving the Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing. He looks over a breeding and habitat conservation program in Papua New Guinea. He has the ultimate goal of increasing the Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing butterfly population so that it is taken from Appendix 1 of the Cites Endangered Species list to Appendix 2. This means that trade of the butterfly would be legalized.
Federal Laws and Conservation Actions
Luckily, conservation actions have been taken to improve the recovery of this species. It has been protected by the Faunal Protection Ordinance law of 1966, and it is on CITES, which is a multilateral treaty that protects endangered flora and fauna. Trade within this species has also been strictly prohibited in Papua New Guinea, although it still happens often ( Böhm, 2018).
These are Partners with Melanesians' main sites throughout Papua New Guinea
Managalas Plateau Project Cite
Ona Keto Project Cite
Lembena Project Cite
It's Not Too Late!
Luckily, conservation actions have been taken to improve the recovery of this species. It has been protected by the Faunal Protection Ordinance law of 1966, and it is on CITES, which is a multilateral treaty that protects endangered flora and fauna. Trade within this species has also been strictly prohibited in Papua New Guinea, although it still happens often ( Böhm, 2018).
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According to the IUCN, butterfly farming has also been recommended as part of the conservation plan for this species, which would allow business owners to have an income alternative to palm oil plantations.
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The Mangalas Conservation Area, although the largest conservation area in Papua New Guinea, does not completely exclude all threats. Mining in the area is not officially excluded from the plan.
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These recovery plans and conservation actions certainly help the species, but unfortunately, it is not enough. More has to be done in order to ensure its survival, which is where YOU come in.