Captive-breeding & Release Project

Since 2010, the Department of Environment and Science, along with the Richmond Birdwing Conservation Network (RBCN) and David Fleay Wildlife Park, has been involved in a joint project to help conserve the vulnerable Richmond birdwing butterfly (Ornithoptera richmondia) using a captive-breeding and release strategy.

Under the breeding program, Richmond birdwing butterflies from geographically separate sources have been mated with the aim of producing more genetically diverse offspring. These captive-reared progenies have been reintroduced at selected sites to help restore wild populations.

Following the first releases in 2010, evidence of natural breeding by the butterfly and more than a dozen flying adults were seen in the Kin Kin and Cootharaba areas of the Sunshine Coast for the first time in almost two decades.

In May 2018, the Swallowtail and Birdwing Butterfly Trust generally donated £500 to the RBCN to put towards the acquisition of vines to support the Department of Environment and Science captive-breeding and release project. 

Read the full report here (pdf).

To date, more than 500 Richmond birdwing butterflies, mostly larvae and pupae, have been reintroduced across nine sites in South East Queensland.

• After long absences, butterflies are again present at reintroduction
  locations.
• Adults and larvae observed at distances up to 20km away soon afterwards.
• Monitoring has revealed evidence of ongoing natural breeding at release sites.
• Anecdotal reports of increases in numbers of birdwings seen in areas surrounding supplementation locations.

Watch the Wildlife Queensland Richmond Birdwing Butterfly Webinar for more information about the Captive-breeding & Release Project.

• Department of Environment and Science
• David Fleay Wildlife Park
• Swallowtail and Birdwing Butterfly Trust