African giant swallowtail (Papilio antimachus)

Species information

Images

Threats

Not enough is known about this giant butterfly species for the IUCN to assess its risk of extinction (1), but it is known that its forest habitat is being rapidly destroyed. This could swiftly deteriorate the status of a butterfly that is already scarce (5).

Conservation

The African giant swallowtail has been recorded from several protected areas (5), including the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda (6). In 1991, the IUCN/SSC Lepidoptera Group published an action plan for the conservation of swallowtail butterflies, which recommended that all rainforest reserves within the distribution of the African giant swallowtail should be surveyed to see if this species is present. For those reserves that do hold populations of this unique butterfly, the adequacy of habitat protection should be assessed. More information on the African giant swallowtail’s vulnerability to forest loss and degradation is also needed (5), to determine the status of this impressive species and inform any future conservation actions that may be necessary.

Shell International, The Shell Foundation and The University of Queensland have been working with a number of natural World Heritage sites through UNESCO's "Enhancing Our Heritage" programme.