Rock to Rock Run 2013
This year’s Rock to Rock Run by Hard Rock Hotel Penang was as rock n’ roll as the previous runs and Penang Butterfly Farm was thrilled to return as a Queen Sponsor.
The run was held last 27th of October, 2013 and constituted of 2 categories : The Fun Run and The Competitive Run
The Fun Run was 3.8 km from Hard Rock Hotel Penang to Tropical Spice Garden as the turning point and back to the Hotel while the Competitive Run was 10.2 km starting from, of course, Hard Rock Hotel Penang to Penang Butterfly Farm and back.
Runners passing through Penang Butterfly Farm
The theme was “Running in the Name of Rock” but did we mention it was also running in the name of giving? Like all the previous Rock to Rock Runs, all was done for charity, and this year’s proceeds was for SJK (C) Permatang Tinggi, Bukit Mertajam for improving the condition of the school for the benefit of the students and teachers. Giving them a great learning environment will surely help them enjoy learning and going to school.
Penang Butterfly Farm’s booth was filled with cuddling and mystery during the event.
Showing the gecko some love.
Cuddling… and some kissing too! One of the activities was to pet, kiss or cuddle the friendly and sexy-eyed Cat Gecko. People who were brave enough to do that were able to snap a photo with it and post their photos on Social Media and hash tagged us – #pgbutterflyfarm! and wait…not only that, they got a prize too, they got to release a newly emerged butterfly!
For those who have eagle-eyes in bug hunting got a chance to try our famous signature game, The Bug-A-Boo. It was tricky to look for those master of camouflage ~ the Praying Mantises but a few people were such a match for it that they were able to spot all of the mantises. Their bug hunting efforts didn’t come unrewarded…winners received a mystery gift from us.
Bug hunters on the hunt!
Were you there with us and snapped a picture? Don’t forget to hash tag us #pgbutterflyfarm and connect with all the rest who are also talking about us and how awesome the event was.
We say, see you next year for another Rock to Rock Run!
Posted in Events & Workshops, Latest News |
Salam Aidilfitri and Maaf Zahir and Batin from Penang Butterfly Farm!
Take a stroll down a butterfly haven and be lost in the beauty of Mother Nature with us this school holiday and festive season.
This is your chance to get a 25% discount on every purchase of Children’s Entrance Ticket from 8th to 25th of August by presenting a cut-out of our SYAWAL GREETING ADVERTISEMENT on Harian Metro’s August 3, 2013 issue. The discount is limited to a maximum of 4 children per cut-out.
After enjoying the entrance fee discount, redeem a RM5 gift voucher per original cut-out presented for purchases at our Penang Butterfly Farm Souvenir Outlet.
Together with Penang Butterfly Farm, make this school holiday and festive season a memorable one so, see you there!
*Terms and Conditions Apply.
25% Discount on Child Entrance Tickets
1. The promotion is valid for MYKAD/MYKID holders only.
2. The offer is not valid with other discounts and other promotions.
3. Only original cut-out advert from Harian Metro is accepted.
4. The discount is valid for purchases of child entrance tickets up to a maximum of 4 pax per original cut-out advert presented.
5. Child entrance ticket is applicable for children from 4 to 12 years old.
6. Validity of the promotion is from 8-25 August 2013.
RM 5.00 Gift Voucher
1. The promotion is valid for MYKAD/MYKID holders only.
2. Not valid with other promotions.
3. Only original cut-out advert from Harian Metro is accepted for redemption of RM5.00 Gift Voucher per original cut-out advert presented.
4. The voucher allows bearer to redeem goods at Penang Butterfly Farm’s Souvenir Outlet
with minimum purchase of RM 30.00 at the Souvenir Outlet.
5. The voucher is NOT APPLICABLE for purchase of mineral water, ice-creams and items on discount.
6. The voucher cannot be exchanged for cash, or any other forms of legal tender.
7. The voucher is valid for one time purchase in a single receipt only and cannot be combined with other vouchers.
8. Only original voucher is valid. Photocopies will NOT be accepted.
9. Vouchers are not refundable.
10. Validity of the promotion is from 8-25 August 2013.
Wishing all our Muslim friends a Happy & Blessed Aidilfitri!
Posted in Events & Workshops, Latest News |
A Butterfly Park for Konya, Turkey
Penang Butterfly Farm has attracted numerous similar projects to be developed in the region. Some of them were consulted by our consultancy division which focuses on farming, museum and butterfly park development. While our entomological consultancy work is active in the UAE, we have begin providing such services to Europe.
This year, our butterfly consulting team has been awarded a tender for developing a butterfly park and insect museum within an artificial butterfly valley in Konya, Turkey. We have been awarded the architectural and design development for the entire park building project which is temperature controlled to allow for exhibiting free-flying butterflies in four different seasons. The ecological design and concept which was developed by our chief architect focuses on creating a habitat suitable for tropical butterflies to thrive within amongst a tropical forest setting. Such a concept is rare to be found in Europe, and therefore it was proposed to provide a unique experience for the local community of Selcuklu town in Konya as well as tourists and passer-by from around the region. The butterfly valley itself is soon to be enriched with entomological plants to attract a variety of insects including butterflies.
Konya province is famous for its green summer parks and historical Mevlana museum, and soon the experience of butterflies and insects can provide and even deeper meaningful experience for the community, knowing that butterflies are part of their religious concept. Besides beings surrounded by tropical butterflies in the enclosed tropical landscaped garden, the insect museum serves to educate the public further through its cinema, multimedia presentations, digital learning displays and three-dimensional modern entomological-scientific museum concept. Its walkways are covered with artistic collections of past relics and craftwork of local butterfly enthusiasts. Their education hall provides further learning syllabus for schools that which to adopt more practical approach for learning about nature. Such that the young children’s mind can absorb easily the topics of sustaining Mother Nature and raising young activists to carry out practical butterfly conservation into our modern world someday.
Turkey seems to have the highest variety of butterfly species compared to all other countries in Europe and such advantage is being taken seriously by the Selcuklu Municipality in Konya. This first ever butterfly park and insect museum in Turkey offers possible scientific collaborations with entomologists and lepidopterists in Turkey as well as from Europe. The commitment given by the government shows a modern-sustainable and responsible Turkish mindset and era that understands ecological consequences of modern development and we are proud of such commitments by their government towards their people.
Konya Tropical Butterfly Garden is developed by Butterfly House Consultancy (M) Sdn Bhd and the municipality is currently undergoing preparations and planning for the construction phase. ARUP, a leading architect firm in Turkey and Red Dot Design from Malaysia has been contracted by Butterfly House Consultancy (M) Sdn Bhd to assist on this project. By 2013, Turkey and its people will have its first ever tropical butterfly park and insect museum!
Posted in Latest News |
Gynandromorph Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing!
Painted Jezebel, August 10, 2012
Penang Butterfly Farm has a big surprise yesterday (9 August 2012) when a rare butterfly was spotted! Well, Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing may not be so rare but a gynandromorph one, sure is very rare!
What is “gynandromorph”?
Gynandromorph refers to organisms that display both female & male traits. In other words, they are both male & female. This happens to butterflies but chances of finding them are rare. Here’s the comparison to the normal Rajah Brooke’s birdwing:
Male Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing
Female Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing
Gynandromorph Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing
Notice that the gynandromorph butterfly has the male feature on one wing and the female features on the other. This even applies to its abdomen, where it is male on one half and female in the other.
Gyandromorph butterflies are known to be infertile. That means they are unable to reproduce.
Nature comes in all shapes and sizes. Isn’t nature just amazing?
Posted in Butterflies, Insects, Latest News |
The Little Ones
Upon hearing Penang Butterfly Farm, I am sure you would think that we are only about butterflies and caterpillars. Actually, apart from dealing with butterflies, we are also doing the breeding and husbandry of other animals in our farm, such as beetles, lizards, frogs and even snails. During the special month of parents’ day, interestingly there are some new born “babies” in our farm as well. So, let’s meet the babies:
Oriental Whip snake
Group photo!
Hi, we are Ahaetulla prasina. We were born on 15th May 2012. Usually, people will call us Oriental Whip snake. We like to stay on tree branches and sleep but we can be very active during daytime. Our body may be a dull colour now but when we grow up, our colour will change to completely green. We like this green colour because we can use it to hide among the leaves on the trees and it is such an elegant colour. Besides that, we like to eat small lizard. When we grow bigger, we will be able to eat other food like frogs and crickets. Our mama is able to produce 4 to 10 of us at a time. That is why we love our mama so much. Because there are many of us, we have to stay separately from our mama. People usually think that we are dangerous but actually we are just slightly venomous and not very harmful to people.
Great Angle Head lizard
I am enjoying my sun basking!
I am Gonocephalus grandis. I hatched from my egg on the 2nd week of May. I am the youngest and I have a brother who hatched a day earlier than me. People call me the Great Angle Head because of my cranial shape when I grow. It is difficult to differentiate me and my cousins, the Bell Angle Head lizard when we are babies. I like sunny day because I can climb up to a tree and enjoy sun basking. In addition, I am an intelligent boy because I have colour-changing ability to camouflage. Sometime, people say that my family is the most aggressive species of the genus. Because of this, I have to stay separately with my parents. But I am not alone because my brother is staying with me. Sometime, I don’t like being photographed, so, I will run around when I see anyone coming.
Cat gecko
Zzzz...
I may be called cat gecko, but I am not a cat. I prefer you call me Aeluroscalabotes felines, it sounds more high class. Do you know that I am the only species within the Aeluroscalabotes genus? I was born on 27th May. I am the youngest gecko in Penang Butterfly Farm. Do you know why they call me cat gecko? It is because when I sleep, I will curl up my tail like a cat. I like to sleep in cool shaded place that is why temperature is very important to me. I sleep in the daytime and I’m active at the night, so you may not see me much during daytime. I have some vertebral striping on my rich coffee-colored brown and bold rust coloration skin. They feed me with the small crickets. Some people ask me why is mama much bigger than papa, I am not sure why, myself but I love them both very much.
Giant Asian Pond turtle
Hello world!
We share the same surname with the Great Angle Lizard – grandis but obviously we are a different genus which is Heosemys grandis. There are 8 of us who hatched out of our eggs on 8th May in the incubation box. We like to eat plant leaves and small aquatic invertebrates. Usually, we use our front leg to tear up the food after we bite them. Do you know how to differentiate if we are a boy or a girl? The boys have slightly concave plastron (lower shell) and longer, thicker tails while the girls have flat plastrons and shorter tails. Due to the high demand of our shell and meat, we are being poached and over-exploited. Therefore, now we are classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and also listed on Appendix II of CITES. Hopefully, if you stop supporting these products, our species will continue to exist.
Fire snail
I am smaller than the five cent coin!
See how big mommy is!
Can you see me? I am very tiny and I am only around 5mm. I just hatched on the 3rd week of May. I have a lot of siblings and all of us look alike. I am Hemiplecta tweediei. You can call me Platymma tweediei too or Fire Snail if the other two names are too difficult. I am a terrestrial snail and I am one of the mountain species. Generally, I live in high humidity area because I do not like dry area. When you keep me as a pet, you have to make sure that my house is very humid. Usually when I am hungry, I will creep slowly to chew my food like leaf, fungus but mostly I feed on the sweet potatoes. Do you know why people call us Fire Snail? Not because we are hot but because when we grow up, we have bright brick-red colour, just like the colour of fire. Mommy and Daddy’s coal black shell can be as big as 3 inches in diameter! As for me, I am still small, transparent and shy. When I am frightened or when I need to sleep, I will hide in my shell.
Lastly, you have met our cute babies of the month. We hope that they will encourage you to appreciate the beauty of nature and also your parents! Any plans for your parents during this special Parents’ Day? Whether they are near or far do not forget to appreciate them. Lastly, we wish all parents a big “Happy Mother’s Day and Happy Father’s Day.” Hope to see you soon in Penang Butterfly Farm.
Posted in Latest News, Photos, Reptiles |
Valentine’s Day in Our Own Way!!
Valentine’s Day is here and our farm is filled with all the lovely ambience fluttering around to usher and embrace these wonderful event.An array of exciting events were arranged exclusively for our beloved visitors for them to cherish and remember these day, in their very own way!!Come lets check out those cute,candid shots all in the name of happiness and fun 😉
Jess & Steven all geared up in preparations for the Butterfly Origami session!! Thats the spirit guys! 🙂
Pen down the feeling of love at our 'Message Writing Corner'.
Butterfly origami making and message writing corner were the few events carried out,making our visitors create their paper butterfly thus presenting it to their partners!!
How big can you blow a bubble :-)Come on Cassie!!
Our friendly staffs were happily blowing bubbles all in the name of Valentine’s.
Fun time with our visitors
Our visitors were delighted with the warm welcome and friendly environment,thanks to our ever dedicated staffs 🙂
Introducing the origami butterfly!!Doesnt it look like the real one?..Wow!!
A valentine's smile..very sweet!!
Celebrating Valentine’s with mother nature was definitely a wonderful experience for our visitors
Cute & attractive souvenirs were sold exclusively for Valentine's!!
Sweets anyone?? 😉
Senior citizens joined the fun too.. 🙂
Our senior visitors were very thrilled and pleased to experience these very day.Some felt it brought back sweet memories during their younger days and cant believe time ran so fast!!
A happy family
Small ones were also enhancing the farm's environment 😉
Tacca,carrying the message of love
Tacca, one of our nature’s ambassador, came in to join the fun.She was so excited and just couldn’t stop entertaining our visitors who were equally thrilled with her presence.Good job Tacca!!
The swing of love was definitely a major attraction whereby most of our visitors couldn’t resist to get a photo shot,what more as Tacca was around.
Happy Valentine's Day Butterfly Farm
So folks,Valentine’s day will always be celebrated and cherished as far as our farm is concern.We had a great day filled with lots of joy and fun all thanks to our very friendly visitors and not forgetting our beloved staffs.Hope to catch you guys soon with more interesting updates from our farm..HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY 🙂
For more photos, check out our facebook page. Cheers~
Posted in Events & Workshops, Latest News |
Rouchussen’s Coelogyne
Painted Jezebel, October 6, 2011
Coelogyne rochussenii orchids are back in Penang Butterfly Farm!
Rouchussen’s Coelogyne is one of their common names.Some local communities called them the Indian Lady Orchid because these orchids are often used as hair ornament in the Indian Culture. What’s interesting it that, in the farm, we noticed them blooming when its very near Indian Festival. The last time they bloomed, it was near Thaipusam celebration, January this year. Then they started blooming few days ago, on the month of Deepavali! Isn’t that such a coincident? Or is it really a coincident? Hmm.. let’s see if this repeats next year.
Anyway, the orchid’s scientific name was after J.J Rochussen, governor-general of the Dutch East Indies in the mid 19th century. This species is commonly found in South East Asia Region including Malaya, Borneo, Java and Sumatra and the Philippines. In the wild they may be found growing on large trees in the lowland forest. My favourite thing about them is their sweet citrus-ish scent. The butterflies love them too! Do come by Penang Butterfly Farm to see (or smell) them before they wither.
Posted in Latest News |
Visit by His Excellency Marcus Stephen, President of Nauru
It was glorious day. From the beautiful island of Nauru, His Excellency Marcus Stephen pays us a visit to explore our newly upgraded butterfly garden.
Located in the South Pacific, Republic of Nauru is the world’s smallest island nation covering only 21 square kilometres with a human population of around 20,000! Yet, the island has beautiful butterflies just like we do.
Posted in Latest News |
Sneak Peek 1
Painted Jezebel, June 20, 2011
Have you been to the newly transformed Penang Butterfly Farm? If you have, do leave us some comments.
If you haven’t here’s some snapshots to get you excited:
A sneak of the new garden…
and……
Tadaaa… our new swing! And it has a name: The Swing of Love.
Well, what are you waiting for? Come and experience the new look!
And stay tune for more sneak peeks 😉
Posted in Latest News, Sneak Peek |