Richmond Birdwing Butterfly
Photo © WLFL

Wildlife Queensland is proud to announce a new relationship with the Richmond Birdwing Recovery Network (RBRN).

The Richmond Birdwing (Ornithoptera richmondia), one of Australia's most spectacular butterfly species, was seriously declining due to habitat clearing throughout its range, from the Clarence River in northern NSW to Maryborough in Queensland and west to Toowoomba. The timely establishment of RBRN in 2005, with its emphasis on re-establishing corridors for the butterfly by propagating and planting the larval food vine, Pararistolochia praevenosa, within the butterfly's natural range, has kept this iconic invertebrate from slipping into extinction.
 
In July 2010, RBRN will come under the umbrella of Wildlife Queensland as a program or network similar to our Quoll Seekers Network which is an important and effective communication hub for a variety of community and research projects. The day-to-day running of the RBRN will continue much as before with a management committee organising and overseeing activities, funding and research. This committee will consist of both RBRN and Wildlife Queensland members.

The aims of the RBRN complement Wildlife Queensland’s approach of highlighting particular species, such as platypus, gliders and quolls, while campaigning to protect habitat and ecosystems. It is timely that the 'Richmond Birdwing Recovery Network' is now to become the 'Conservation Network' – a sign that the focus has moved from recovery to conservation. Wildlife Queensland's focus on promoting community education and participation through its projects and events is another reason why this alliance is so well-matched.

Wildlife Queensland looks forward to playing a part in the future survival of the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly – and working with its active and effective Network Committee.

Arrangements will be finalised by end June 2010 and information of how to get involved with the activities of the Richmond Birdwing Conservation Network will then be available on this website.

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For more information on Wildlife Queensland's activities, call us on +61 7 3221 0194 or send us an email.