Asia's Illicit Butterfly Trade

[boghaunter1]

Thoughts?, Opinions?



John K.

[Chuck]

Half brained “journalism” for shock factor driven by the bureaucracy that profits. Opening statement is misleading should say 100k butterflies traded to support rural agrarian populations that are ignored by the government.

The Indonesian government is tops in the world for corruption. They also occupy Papua, which doesn’t want them. I dismiss anything coming from the Indonesian government

[Trehopr1]

Thank you John for posting the video. I have thus far only being able to watch about half of it because I think it runs around 45 minutes however, I still find it fascinating and I just enjoy watching it.

In some aspects it reminds me of some of the old national geographic films I would see on TV. I like seeing exotic locals, researchers in the field, and passionate collectors like us who hold the hobby near and dear to our heart. I also like seeing all of the specimens that are shown.

I look forward to seeing the rest of the film. I loved seeing all those Japanese fellas sitting around that table in the back room of some shop in Japan. The owner had a side business selling butterflies to prospective clients. Wish I could have been there ! I'd be hip deep in the bidding...

I try not to think any too hard about the "shock value" presented in any video. To be honest all videos offer some manner of shock value or otherwise, you would turn them off in about 15 seconds.

I also do not take a pessimistic view of them either. What's the point of that ? Whatever the video may seem to be making a point of it likely won't affect any individual. In fact the whole topic maybe so complicated or convoluted there really isn't anything that can be done anyway.

I say just enjoy the video portions that are educational and informative and be happy that someone produced it in the first place !

[Papilio_indra]

This video has some good information and covers several topics in which I learned quite a bit. I was particularly interested in how specimens were obtained and ultimately marketed both locally and internationally. I'm surprised that the cost of rearing permits for local people is so prohibitive that many can't afford one. You would think that their government would make it easier to start a successful and legal butterfly business.

I see a parallel here with discussions on other threads in this forum regarding how difficult it is to commercially import butterflies into the United States. The fact that it can be difficult to work with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and their permit system may actually be a good thing for the importers who go to the trouble of meeting all of the requirements as the bureaucracy helps to keep the foreign butterfly market in America from being flooded with specimens.

[kevinkk]

I see a parallel here with discussions on other threads in this forum regarding how difficult it is to commercially import butterflies into the United States. The fact that it can be difficult to work with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and their permit system may actually be a good thing for the importers who go to the trouble of meeting all of the requirements as the bureaucracy helps to keep the foreign butterfly market in America from being flooded with specimens.

Exactly, all you need to do is look at Ebay and search for example Ornithoptera, but only from USA sellers, you'll find a very limited choice.
Everything is already spread and in Riker mounts. I can fully see why things are expensive, I'd like some Pasalidognathus, but I'd slowly go broke.
When I tried my website back in the mid 90's I simply bought from Bioquip, never was a money maker.

[Chuck]

I'd like some Pasalidognathus, but I'd slowly go broke.

You make the box(s) you want them shipped in, provide the set pins, and I’ll cut you a deal