Melaka: More than 40 percent of butterfly populations in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, could face extinction within the next 50 years unless comprehensive conservation efforts are implemented consistently.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, findings cited by the Melaka Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary highlight the urgent need for action.
The managing director of the sanctuary, Gerard Wong, emphasized the importance of raising public awareness about butterfly and environmental conservation. He highlighted the necessity of breeding endangered butterfly species, noting that species such as the Clipper, Yellow Birdwing, and Giant Tree Nymph are particularly at risk.
Wong referenced a study conducted by researchers from Universiti Malaya, which serves as a wake-up call due to the critical role butterflies play in maintaining ecological balance. "They are among the key pollinators that support the reproduction of various plants and flowers. The extinction of these insects would have adverse effects on the natural environment and disrupt food chains that support other living organisms, including humans," he stated during a recent event.
The event included a butterfly release ceremony and the presentation of a Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) certificate, marking the 35th anniversary celebration of the Melaka Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary. It was officiated by Yang Dipertua Negeri of Melaka, Tun Mohd Ali Rustam.
Wong elaborated on the sanctuary's initiatives aimed at preserving threatened species, including butterfly breeding programs conducted through three laboratories and public awareness campaigns such as the Butterfly Chrysalis Adoption Programme. The facility successfully breeds over 200,000 butterflies annually, with 10 percent released into the environment as part of these conservation efforts.
Despite these efforts, Wong noted the challenges faced by the sanctuary, a small private company that is not profit-oriented. For 35 years, the facility has focused on research and butterfly breeding, but every stage of the conservation program requires substantial funding, relying on ticket sales from visitors to sustain operations.
Visitor numbers were relatively low last year, with approximately 150,000 people visiting the sanctuary, which was insufficient to cover operating costs. During the event, a total of 1,698 butterflies from 15 species, bred at the Melaka Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary, were released as part of conservation efforts. This achievement earned recognition from the Malaysia Book of Records under the category of "Largest Butterfly Release in a Conservation Event," with the certificate presented by MBOR CEO Christopher Wong to Gerard, witnessed by Mohd Ali.