Singapore Zoo's Fragile Forest welcomes a flurry of wings
18 JUN 2018The Plain Tiger, Common Mormon, Great Eggfly and Autumn Leaf are just some of the native butterfly species that now call Singapore Zoo’s Fragile Forest home. Swoop over to the newly minted aviary for a visual feast of coloured wings and spot nature’s delicate beauties as they flutter freely. Of the 11 species, eight are native to Singapore. You can also catch a glimpse of the Clipper butterfly, which is now extinct in Singapore. While butterflies may land on guests, visitors are encouraged not to reach out and touch them as improper handling may damage their wings.
Within these chrysalis, Clipper butterflies wait to emerge at Fragile Forest’s behind the scenes area. This is the third stage in a butterfly’s life cycle. Once the butterflies emerge, they are transferred to the new butterfly aviary. Depending on the species, the life cycle of a butterfly may take anywhere from one month to a whole year.
PHOTO CREDIT: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE
Invertebrate keeper Evan Lee coaxes the newly-emerged butterflies to leave the comfort of the basket and fly free in the Fragile Forest butterfly aviary.
PHOTO CREDIT: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE
A young visitor to Fragile Forest’s new butterfly aviary takes the opportunity to photograph a Clipper butterfly that has fluttered to her hand. Incidentally, a group of butterflies is called a flutter.
PHOTO CREDIT: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE
A closeup of the beautiful Clipper butterfly. This species is now extinct in Singapore, but visitors to Singapore can catch a glimpse at Fragile Forest’s new butterfly aviary.
PHOTO CREDIT: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE
A young guest at Fragile Forest’s new butterfly aviary looks on curiously while butterflies feed from a feeder.
PHOTO CREDIT: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE
Butterflies taking a rest on a visitor’s hat. While butterflies may land on guests, visitors are encouraged not to reach out and touch them as improper handling may damage their wings.
PHOTO CREDIT: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE
