After over a decade of conservation efforts, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is showcasing the critically endangered Lord Howe Island stick insects for the first time in North America. The insects are now on display in a specialized habitat at the San Diego Zoo’s Wildlife Explorers Basecamp. This effort is part of a partnership with Zoos Victoria to maintain and conserve the species. The Lord Howe Island stick insects, also known as “tree lobsters,” are a large, flightless, nocturnal insect native to the Lord Howe Island Group. They were threatened in their native habitat by invasive plants and non-native predators, causing their populations to decline dramatically. The insects were believed to be extinct until a few were rediscovered in 2001 on a nearby volcanic spire called Ball’s Pyramid. The Alliance has been working on breeding and maintaining the insect population in a dedicated facility within the zoo. Efforts have also been made to return the insect back to its original habitat, including participating in a rat eradication effort in 2019. The Zoo’s horticulture team has collected host plant seeds and cuttings to support the insect population. Visitors can view the insects during the day under a red light, which simulates their active time at night. This conservation effort has also led to the reemergence of many other rare or presumed extinct plant and animal species on Lord Howe Island. The San Diego Zoo is one of only two zoos outside of Australia and the only one in North America working with this species. This initiative aims to raise awareness for lesser-known animals and promote invertebrate conservation.
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San Diego Zoo Welcomes Rare Lord Howe Island Stick Insect, Also Known as “Tree Lobsters”
