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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/08/bristol-zoo-eggs-raise-hopes-for-endangered-stick-insect
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Bristol zoo eggs raise hopes for endangered stick insect | Bristol zoo eggs raise hopes for endangered stick insect |
(13 days later) | |
Keepers at a British zoo are celebrating the appearance of five eggs that suggest an attempt to save one of the world’s rarest creatures – the Lord Howe Island stick insect – is working. | Keepers at a British zoo are celebrating the appearance of five eggs that suggest an attempt to save one of the world’s rarest creatures – the Lord Howe Island stick insect – is working. |
The eggs were found at Bristol zoo gardens, which is part of a global effort to prevent the animals becoming extinct. | The eggs were found at Bristol zoo gardens, which is part of a global effort to prevent the animals becoming extinct. |
The zoo’s effort to save the species, which hails from a remote Australian island, began in 2015, when 300 eggs, carefully packed in sterilised sand, arrived from Melbourne zoo. | The zoo’s effort to save the species, which hails from a remote Australian island, began in 2015, when 300 eggs, carefully packed in sterilised sand, arrived from Melbourne zoo. |
Six animals reached adulthood – three breeding pairs – and produced eggs, which started hatching in May 2017. Five of those survived and have now produced eggs of their own. | Six animals reached adulthood – three breeding pairs – and produced eggs, which started hatching in May 2017. Five of those survived and have now produced eggs of their own. |
Bristol zoo said this was significant because it is the first time outside of Australia a second generation of eggs has been laid. | Bristol zoo said this was significant because it is the first time outside of Australia a second generation of eggs has been laid. |
Mark Bushell, curator of invertebrates, said: “We had our suspicions that the females might soon lay eggs. | Mark Bushell, curator of invertebrates, said: “We had our suspicions that the females might soon lay eggs. |
“We have been tirelessly working with this critically endangered species for two years now, and to have achieved this success after such a lot of hard work and dedication is truly fantastic. | “We have been tirelessly working with this critically endangered species for two years now, and to have achieved this success after such a lot of hard work and dedication is truly fantastic. |
“It is certainly one of our biggest achievements in the seven years that I have been working in the zoo’s invertebrate department and a huge boost to the European captive breeding programme for this species.” | “It is certainly one of our biggest achievements in the seven years that I have been working in the zoo’s invertebrate department and a huge boost to the European captive breeding programme for this species.” |
It is hoped that each generation will breed with greater success as the species becomes more used to the UK’s climate and conditions. | It is hoped that each generation will breed with greater success as the species becomes more used to the UK’s climate and conditions. |
Keepers are feeding the stick insects plants specially grown by horticulturists at the zoo. | Keepers are feeding the stick insects plants specially grown by horticulturists at the zoo. |
Lord Howe Island stick insects were once numerous on the tiny island off the coast of Australia after which they are named. | Lord Howe Island stick insects were once numerous on the tiny island off the coast of Australia after which they are named. |
They were believed to have been driven to extinction by black rats in the early 20th century. | They were believed to have been driven to extinction by black rats in the early 20th century. |
But in 2001, they were rediscovered on Ball’s Pyramid – a rat-free volcanic outcrop off the coast of the island. | But in 2001, they were rediscovered on Ball’s Pyramid – a rat-free volcanic outcrop off the coast of the island. |
Two pairs were taken to Australia to set up a captive breeding programme, which is now being rolled out across the world. Eggs were sent to Bristol, San Diego and Toronto zoos in 2015. | Two pairs were taken to Australia to set up a captive breeding programme, which is now being rolled out across the world. Eggs were sent to Bristol, San Diego and Toronto zoos in 2015. |
The remaining population on Ball’s Pyramid comprises just 20 to 30 stick insects. | The remaining population on Ball’s Pyramid comprises just 20 to 30 stick insects. |
Also known as tree lobsters, adult Lord Howe Island stick insects are wingless and nocturnal. | Also known as tree lobsters, adult Lord Howe Island stick insects are wingless and nocturnal. |
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