Kuranda Attraction
Environment
The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is the largest butterfly flight aviary in Australia, and prides itself on providing a quality wildlife experience since 1987. Home to over 1,200 magnificent tropical butterflies, we are totally self-sustaining in our butterfly breeding programme – which means no butterflies are taken from their natural environment. No other butterfly sanctuary in the world provides all of its own stock.
Australian Butterfly Sanctuary
Did you know?
- We have approximately 2 acres planted out in food plants to feed our caterpillars.
- In 2013 laboratory staff successfully raised over 23,000 caterpillars to pupa stage.
- We average an 80% success rate from egg to pupae stage, that means that laboratory staff cut, washed and daily changed food-plant for about 27,600 caterpillars!
Environmental commitments in practice
- All garden waste and paper waste is composted and recycled back into our gardens.
- We estimate we create approximately 100 litres of compost every 6 months.
- We monitor how much rubbish is put out for collection and actively strive to reduce the number of bins.
- Containers containing chemicals used in the laboratory are taken to Mareeba Waste Management for recycling.
- Existing high energy bulbs are replaced by energy efficient bulbs.
- Lighting in the museum has been replaced by a type that turns on and off according to motion sensors.
- Insulation and curtains have been installed in the laboratory to reduce electricity consumption.
- Mulch is used on garden beds to reduce water loss.
- We have created signage in english within the park and no longer provide information leaflets which has resulted in a huge reduction in paper usage.
Sustainability
Our philosophy
The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is the largest butterfly flight aviary in Australia and prides itself on providing a quality and unique wildlife experience since 1987. Home to over 1500 magnificent tropical butterflies, we are self-sustaining in our butterfly breeding programme – which means no butterflies are taken from their natural environment. No other butterfly sanctuary in the world provides all of its own stock.
We at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary are committed to a sensitive treatment of our environmental resources, wildlife and we are strongly connected to our local community. We believe that we can make a positive impact by our sustainable practices, educating our employees and locals, and providing exceptional service and memorable moments to our visitors.
