Kipepeo become economically self-sustaining and in 2001 was formally handed over to our project partners, the National Museums of Kenya.

The Kipepeo Project butterfly farm was set up in 1993 to help farmers earn money from the nearby Arabuko-Sokoke Forest and its unique biodiversity. This compensates in part for the damage that elephants and baboons cause to farmers' crops, and helps to alleviate poverty in the area.

Farmers who live next to the forest collect tiny butterfly larvae (caterpillars) from the Kipepeo Project. They raise the caterpillars on leaves from forest trees; a very small, sustainable harvest. When the caterpillars change into pupae (the resting stage in the life of a butterfly), the farmers sell the pupae to Kipepeo.

The Project then ships the pupae to live butterfly displays in Europe and North America. The butterflies hatch from their pupae soon after arrival. Kipepeo Project is open every day of the year to visitors. It is located within the grounds of the Gede Ruins National Monument, about 20 km south of Malindi in Coast Province.

Harnessing Butterfly Biodiversity for Improving Livelihoods & Forest Conservation

Financial & Livelihood Impacts of Butterfly Farming at Arabuko-Sokoke Forest

Visit Kipepeo's website at http://kipepeo.org/
Click Here! (External Link)

 

BirdLife International Partner in Kenya