Australian Butterfly Sanctuary

The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is a butterfly sanctuary and exhibit situated in the centre of Kuranda, Queensland, Australia.

Australian Butterfly Sanctuary
Male Cairns birdwing in flight in the aviary
16.8204646°S 145.6330483°E / -16.8204646; 145.6330483
Date opened1987[1]
LocationKuranda, Queensland, Australia
No. of animals1,500[2]
Websitewww.australianbutterflies.com

Kuranda Butterfly Sanctuary is listed by the Guinness Book of Records as Australia's largest butterfly flight aviary and exhibit. The sanctuary rears a variety of butterflies, most of which are native to Far North Queensland, including the vibrant Cairns Birdwing Butterfly. The lab breeds about 30,000 caterpillars each year, and sends about 24,000 pupae to be released in the aviary.[3]

There are around 1500 free flying butterflies from a variety of species.

History

The sanctuary was conceived, designed, and built by Paul and Susan Wright in 1987.[1]

In July 2004, Charles & Pip Woodward of the CaPTA Group joined Paul and Sue right in an equal partnership. The CaPTA Group bought the remaining share of the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary a few years later.[4]

In April 2005, the breeding laboratories were upgraded to allow viewing by educational groups.

Butterflies and moths

The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is home to around 1500 free-flying butterflies. All butterflies are raised in the sanctuaries laboratory from caterpillar to pupa stages. Butterflies are released daily from the laboratory into the aviary.

Species on display include:[5]

Television

The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary appeared in Better Homes and Gardens in which Dr Harry Cooper explored the aviary and met its colourful residents.[6] The park was also featured in the first season of Helloworld with Bec Hewitt.

References
  1. "History". australianbutterflies.com. Australian Butterfly Sanctuary. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  2. "Kuranda". cairns.com.au. News Limited. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  3. "Interesting Facts About Butterflies". australianbutterflies.com. Australian Butterfly Sanctuary. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  4. "History". Capta Group. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  5. "Kuranda Attraction". Australian Butterfly Sanctuary. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  6. "Australian butterfly sanctuary". www.bhg.com.au. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
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