Wiad Wildlife

Management Area Binatang Research Centre Gum River, Madang Province

Protecting Madang’s Last Rainforests Goliath birdwing butterfly Location: Madang Province, south of provincial capital Madang on the Gum River Local Language: Amele Village: Ohu Purpose : Wiad WMA was established to protect wildlife and some of the last primary forest close to Madang town from the potential of logging and mining. Communities have protected this forest for the future of their children and the generations to come. In this generation, they hope to attract tourists, encourage research and provide a continued supply of food and bush materials. The rules of WMA prevent the cutting of trees clearing of gardens, setting of traps, lighting of bushfires, killing of and disturbance of nests or nesting areas. Management and Support : A committee elected by the local landowning community has set the rules and manages the WMA. The New Guinea Binatang Research Centre have provided monitoring and technical support for over a decade. The Bush Laboratory welcomes visitors.

New Guinea Binatang Research Centre Map produced by WWF/F Yaninen Bush Laboratory , Ohu Mapping the WMA boundaries Photo: F Yaninen

Hais Wassel, Ohu butterfly farm

Hill rainforest Wiad WMA (322 ha)

New protected areas

New Guinea Binatang Research Centre www.entu.cas.cz/png/ t: +675 853 3258

Ohu Butterfly Farm c/- +675 852 3225

WWF South Pacific Programme www.wwfpacific.org.fj t: +675 323 9855

Department of Environment and Conservation [email protected] t: +675 325 0180 Peanut tree fruit - Sterculia quadrifida Weevil

A Sanctuary for New Guinea Wiad Wildlife Management Area protects several square kilometres of forest situated in the hilly landscape around Ohu Village. Although this habitat is a mix of primary and secondary forests, it is still an important site for local biodiversity as it represents one of the last relatively well preserved forests remaining in the Madang area. Wiad is also one of the most intense entomological research sites in the world’s tropics with a history of more than 10 years of research. This is the site which served as the basis for the new, now widely accepted estimate of the global diversity Visitors can see a good example of lowland rainforest here, with its characteristic flora and fauna. There is often a possibility to catch a glimpse of the Lesser bird of paradise (Paradisaea minor) or Common scrub fowl. The forest is particularly rich in insects. Some species of remarkable Birdwing butterflies commonly occur such as Ornithoptera priamus, O.paradisea or Troides oblongomaculatus; and there are also a number of striking Swallowtail butterflies such as ulysses. With a bit of luck, the visitor can also come across the 1000 moth species including the world’s biggest moth – the Hercules moth (Attacus altas) or meet some of the bizarre longhorn beetles. 40 fig species are pollinated by unique specialized wasps, some of them newly discovered here.

All photos P Chatterton unless specified

X COMMUNITIES SECURING LAND AND LIFE W