5 September 2025
There's been a flutter of excitement at the Territory Wildlife Park!
In a major conservation win, Territory Wildlife Park (TWP), alongside passionate conservationists Geoff Martin, Dr Richard Weir and Jo Freeman, has successfully bred 12 adult Atlas moths (Attacus wardi) and are eagerly waiting for more to emerge from their cocoons. This is a hopeful sign for a species that is listed as 'vulnerable' in the NT.
With wingspans reaching up to 22cm and distinctive patterns believed to mimic snake heads to deter predators, the Atlas moth is as extraordinary as it is delicate.
Endemic to the Top End of the Northern Territory, the species has seen significant decline in the NT due to habitat loss, Cyclone Tracy and the widespread use of insect repellents.
Conservation efforts began more than 15 years ago, when Geoff and Richard sought permission from Parks and Wildlife to breed Atlas moths in controlled environments to improve their survival chances. Their passion soon caught the attention of Jo, a passionate horticulturalist at the Territory Wildlife Park, who shared their vision of creating a thriving habitat for the species.
Working alongside Parks and Wildlife staff and volunteers, the team has been planting native, moth-friendly vegetation and creating carefully monitored environments across the Top End to support every stage of the Atlas moth's lifecycle.
Supporting habitat creation and richness has been key to this project, with 675 host trees grown from four key species over the past 5 years by Jo and volunteers.
Now, more than a decade later, their dedication is paying off with more eggs being laid and successfully hatching into caterpillars, with 40 cocoons now being cared for at TWP. The moths are expected to hatch from their cocoons in November.
While the recent success is promising, ongoing habitat restoration and community involvement remain crucial to ensure the Atlas moth population continues to grow.
Discover more about the fascinating history of the Atlas moth and learn how you can support ongoing conservation efforts by visiting Territory Wildlife Park this National Threatened Species Day on Sunday 7 September 2025.
Territory Wildlife Park Director Rob Hall said community support helps protect Australia's unique wildlife - not just for today, but for generations to come.
"Territory Wildlife Park remains committed to the preservation of our Top End flora and fauna. This project is a shining example of the active role zoological parks can play in conserving a species and being proactive in habitat restoration," he said.
"Through habitat preservation and creation this beautiful moth now has a better future in the Top End ecosystem thanks to the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders."
This project would not have been possible without the invaluable contributions of Geoff Martin, Dr Richard Weir, the Friends of the Territory Wildlife volunteers, City of Darwin, Parks and Wildlife and the many school groups and volunteers that pitched in along the way.
