How the Tree Lobster Escaped Extinction
In the annals of conservation, few stories are as compelling and dramatic as the tale of the tree lobster’s escape from extinction. This insect, whose proper name is the Lord Howe Island stick insect (Dryococelus australis), resembles a large, spiny lobster and was once abundant on Lord Howe Island, situated in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand. By the mid-20th century, however, it was believed to be extinct—a casualty of introduced predators and environmental changes.
The apparent demise of the tree lobster began in 1918 when a supply ship ran aground on Lord Howe Island. Along with its cargo, it inadvertently brought black rats to this otherwise idyllic paradise. The rats found the flightless, ground-dwelling insects easy prey and within two decades had seemingly consumed every last one. No live specimen had been spotted since 1920, and by 1960, the species was declared extinct.
Yet, unbeknownst to scientists and conservationists at the time, a tiny population of these insects had clung to existence on a precarious ledge of a nearby volcanic sea stack known as Ball’s Pyramid. In 2001, a team of scientists led by entomologist David Priddel confirmed this improbable survival when they discovered a small colony of two dozen individuals living under a single bush some 65 meters above the ocean.
The rediscovery sparked immediate action. In an incredible race against time and with painstaking care, two breeding pairs were brought into captivity by conservationists with plans to breed them in a controlled environment. The Melbourne Zoo in Australia took on this monumental task, using complex methods to replicate their natural habitat and dietary needs.
The breeding program faced many challenges due to the insects’ finicky mating habits and complex life cycle. However, it ultimately proved successful beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. Thousands of Lord Howe Island stick insects have since been hatched in captivity—each one a tiny miracle contributing to their species’ redemption song.
Current efforts are now focused on eventual reintroduction to Lord Howe Island—but not without thorough precautionary measures against predation by rats. This includes an ambitious rodent eradication program on the island to ensure that environmental threats are mitigated before any reintroduction occurs.
The tree lobster’s incredible journey from presumed extinction to burgeoning hope symbolizes humanity’s growing dedication to preserving our planet’s biodiversity. It serves as a stirring reminder of resilience in nature and what determined conservation efforts can achieve against seemingly insurmountable odds.
Today, while still classified as critically endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, thanks to these heroic measures, there is renewed optimism for the tree lobster’s future—a testament that even when all seems lost in conservation battles, nature can still surprise us with its tenacity for survival.