Penang Butterfly Farm to reopen next year after RM50mil facelift

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Butterfly Farm will reopen by the first quarter of 2016 after the completion of the RM50mil redevelopment project to become the world's first butterfly, dragonfly and firefly sanctuary park.

The farm, managed by Butterfly House Penang Sdn Bhd, has been closed for redevelopment since March 8 this year and is expected to open before the Chinese New Year in 2016.

Chief executive officer Joseph Goh said the group was currently undergoing strategic rebranding where the farm will be renamed 'Entopia', a combination of the words 'entomology' and 'utopia'.

He said the rebranding entailed expanding and redeveloping the farm's existing facilities, restructuring the organisation to deliver world-class and meaningful learning experiences.

"Upon the completion of the project, there will be two new worlds - indoor and outdoor - with differences designed to thrill and inspire visitors," he told a media briefing here on Wednesday.

Goh said the redevelopment project will expand the current facility into over 100,000 sq ft to house over 15,000 butterflies from about 100 species.

He said the group has identified four strategic pillars to strengthen its business: to be the community game-changer, industry springboard, the place to be and a great place to work.

Goh said the redevelopment project will be uniquely themed for the purpose of education and tourism while sharing the profound wisdom of mother nature.

"The project aims to serve as a centre in Malaysia for insect education, or officially known as entomology, with possible collaborations with non-governmental organisations, universities, schools, teachers and students.

"It will also act as a platform for worldwide researchers to carry out their research work in the world of invertebrates and insects," he said. - Bernama