5 March 2006
The largest moth in the world and other discoveries
The largest moth in the world?
© Greenpeace/Prout
In Zeiva forest area, we found and photographed a Hercules moth. It’s a spectacular moth, reputed to be the largest in the world.
At 15cm wide, this one was as big as a human hand. Another example of the wonders of the Paradise Forests!
The team at Zeiva has completed the Forest Management Area (FMA) boundary marking and baseline inventory survey of the Begwa baramundi clan. International volunteers, Klaas and Florian, assisted with the survey, marking a transect through the forest and then identifying and measuring every tree over 40cm for 10m either side.
Part of the forest was badly damaged by the fires during the El Nino drought of 1997/98 but is regenerating very well. The most common commercial timber tree was New Guinea Rosewood (Pterocarpus indicus).
The moth compared to a human hand
© Greenpeace/Prout
The volunteers witnessed another successful muruk (cassowary) hunt yesterday. The hunt fed the local landowners, who shared it with the Kewe camp. The cassowary was in good condition (fat) – you can tell by the wattle on the back of its neck. If it’s red-orange the bird is healthy, if not it appears yellow. The conservation of muruk by local communities relies on them being valued and the protection of its forest habitat.
With our resident bird watchers on the alert and up at dawn every morning, along with the help of the Kewe camp locals, we now have a bird list of nearly 100 species. Some of the species are rare or not found in the rest of PNG.
We are ready for the new influx of volunteers tomorrow and will be running two separate teams in the forest next week. There has been plenty of rain and since our arrival the Lake has risen by 0.25 m. As the Lake has an area of 52 km square, that is roughly 13,000,000 tonnes of water (if our calculations are correct…). Everyone is well and happy and looking forward to a full camp!
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Comments
Would love to see a picture. Keep up the great work!
Judy
Posted by: Anonymous at March 15, 2006 2:23 PM
