The Prague Zoo has partnered with several international organizations to help preserve the Lord Howe Island stick insect, which was presumed extinct for over 80 years. This insect, a notable species as the largest flightless insect, can reach a length of up to 15 centimeters (5.9 inches). Currently, Prague Zoo is one of six facilities globally that successfully supports this species, offering public viewings that are otherwise available only in London and San Diego.
Known scientifically as the Lord Howe Island phasmid, this insect originates from a remote group of islands in the Tasman Sea near Australia. These islands were first discovered in 1778, but the insect’s population was seemingly annihilated in 1918 following the introduction of rats from a shipwreck.
Evidence of the insects was rediscovered in the 1960s by climbers on a rocky islet, Balls Pyramid, located 23 kilometers (14 miles) from Lord Howe. This was verified in 2001 when specimens were confirmed surviving there. Consequently, two pairs were transferred to Australia to initiate a breeding program for this critically endangered species.
Vojt?ch Vít, who manages these delicate insects at the Prague Zoo, explained on Tuesday, “They made an extraordinary effort to endure 100 years on the harsh Balls Pyramid, and now require meticulous care to thrive in captivity.” Special measures, such as an air-conditioned facility and rigorous disinfection procedures, are in place to shield the insects from infections. Australian authorities have sanctioned the breeding efforts at the zoo.
The long-term objective of this breeding initiative is to reintroduce the stick insect back to Lord Howe Island. This is made feasible by the successful eradication of rats on the island in 2019, paving the way for the insects’ potential return to their original habitat.