Penang - Attractions 04g

But why a butterfly farm?
Visiting national parks, museums and heritage buildings is a favourite pastime of many Malaysians. Such outings allow and encourage us to appreciate our natural and man-made heritage, many of which are threatened by the onslaught of modern development. There are some who even go as far as to say that such recreation fosters closer bonding between family members, but we'll delve into that later.
First things first. Although well known amongst all Penangites, most Malaysians and some tourists, an introduction to one of Malaysia's more better known landmarks dedicated to a most interesting member of the animal kingdom – the Lepidoptera, otherwise more commonly referred to as the butterfly, is still relevant.
The Penang Butterfly Farm (PBF), the first tropical butterfly farm ever set up in the world, was founded in 1986. It is located in Telok Bahang, a fishing village located north of the island.
Talk about dreams coming true and ideas taking shape. Out of the strength came forth sweetness – and one man's lifelong fascination with butterflies has resulted in a 1 hectare (and growing!) home and sanctuary to a wide variety of insects, reptiles, fishes and plants. Protected from natural predators and unfriendly environments, butterflies in this sanctuary turn into little Methuselahs, living for as long as 14 days. In their natural habitats, the average lifespan would be about three days.
At the last count, the Penang Butterfly Farm is sanctuary to an average flying population of 4,000 Malaysian butterflies from 120 different species, including some very rare and famous ones, like the Indian Leaf (Kallima paralekta), the endangered Yellow Birdwing (Troides helena) and the Rajah Brooke's Birdwing, arguably Malaysia's most well-known insect.
So what makes butterflies such mesmerising creatures? What's the attraction? Why a whole farm for such a fragile and short-lived creature?
Opinions vary, but British novelist Elizabeth Goudge said it all when she described butterflies as "not quite birds, as they were not quite flowers, mysterious and fascinating as are all indeterminate creatures."
Mysterious? Maybe. Fascinating? Definitely.
The Penang Butterfly Farm is unquestionably Malaysian, without a doubt, yet it is also a reputation to be reckoned with overseas.
A fun place for the family
Recognising that long periods of hard work result in parents not spending much quality time with their families, the Penang Butterfly Farm has introduced several attractions to provide your loved ones fun time, as well as a great way for children of all ages to get to know one another while having lots of fun. One of these activities is the Caterpillar Club.
Upon entering the Farm, the visitor is greeted by a lush and well designed landscaped garden lined with several pathways, dotted with cages here and there, flowing fountains and a fish pond. Myriad butterflies flutter and flit silently against a multi-coloured backdrop of the different flowers and plants that fill the grounds, apparenlty impervious to the many humans walking around them. It all looks very harmonious, well-proportioned and peaceful. Who knows, a visit to the Farm might just be the tonic for frazzled nerves!
At the time of writing, plans are afoot to expand the size of the PBF from its present 1 hectare to a whopping 4 hectares.
PBF general manager, Eddy Low (picture right) also revealed that a dragonfly enclosure measuring 1,200 sq. ft., the first in the world, is being constructed. In the meantime, whether you are a kid, an aduly, a zoologist, an entomologist or just plain curious, the PBF is still an interesting place to spend time.
Other attractions
Show and Tell
Don't let her demure looks fool you! Rosnida Roskan, Chief Editor of the Caterpillar Club newsletter will surprise you with the apparent ease with which she handles the most-creepy crawlies of insects. Scorpions, geckos, spiders and snakes – you just let Rosnida draw you into the world of insects and reptiles during the daily Show and Tell sessions.
Souvenir shop
When you have thousands of live butterflies, it goes without saying that you will also have quite a pile of dead ones in your hands, eventually! Not to worry. The Farm fashions very attractive (and affordable) crystal paperweights and other items using dead insects.
Also available at the souvenir shop are paintings, t-shirts, carvings, books but most fascinating of all are the antiques and curios which PBF founder David Goh acquired over a span of 30 years during his trips overseas. Some are for sale, but be warned, such beauty does not come cheap. Still, if your pockets are deep enough, you will own one-of-a-kind works of art. Indulge!
Did you know . . .
Caterpillars have one job in life and that is to eat – one potted plant per day to be precise. Such ravenous (and fussy) appetites also mean large amounts of waste products. The waste products, called frass, must be cleaned out of the "hatcheries" every day in order to prevent mold and fungus, and create a healthy environment for the caterpillars.
The transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly is known as metamorphosis – a zoological term to describe a series of distinct stages in the development from egg to adult – a caterpillar surrounds itself in a cocoon from which a butterfly emerges. Complete metamorphosis occurs when there the adult insect bears no resemblance to the "infant" insect. A butterfly, for example, is completely different from a caterpillar. Fascinating, isn't it?
Did you know that the PBF has, under it's wings (pun unintended), three biologists, two R&D personnel and one Education officer.
Did you know that PFB founder David Goh published a scientific paper on butterflies entitled Life History of Trogonoptera Brokiana Albescens in Malaysia in 1994? A copy of the article can be viewed at the PFB display room.
Did you know that Malaysia's biggest oil painting can be found at the souvenir shop? Measuring 20 ft by 7 ft, the painting of a lush Malaysian jungle scene by James Lau has earned a place in the Malaysian Guiness Book of Records.
Did you know that insects represent about nine tenths of all classified animal species?
Caterpillar Club

The chief raison d'etre of the Caterpillar Club (CC) is to introduce young ones to the world of insects and at the same time, give them a precursory feel of entomology, or the study of insects.
This is accomplished through different activities, projects, tutorials and lectures (which are actually tailored for people all ages) and outreach activities targeting schools and kindergartens.
Other benefits of joining the CC are free entry to the Farm (a hair's breadth short of 365 days a year!), 20% discount for up to 10 guests, discounts on purchases from the souvenir shop and art gallery, free gifts, activities and newsletter.
What are you waiting for?

Penang Butterfly Farm
No 830 Jalan Teluk Bahang, 11050 Penang, Malaysia
Tel: 604-885 1253 Fax: 604-885 2011 / 885 1741
E-mail: info@butterfly-insect.com
www.butterfluy-insect.com
Visiting Hours: Mondays to Fridays from 9:00am to 5:00pm
Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays from 9:00am to 5:30pm
Price: RM 12.50 (adult), RM 6.25 (child from 5-12 years of age)
Free for children below 5 years of age.

Written by Raja Abdul Razak.

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