The Remarkable Comeback of the Lord Howe Island Stick Insect

The Lord Howe Island stick insect, once thought extinct, was rediscovered on a nearby volcanic island in 2001. Known for its large size and nicknames like 'tree lobster,' it was common on Lord Howe Island until rats, introduced by a shipwreck in 1918, decimated the population. Declared extinct by 1960, a small population was found, leading to a successful breeding program at Melbourne Zoo, which has helped repopulate the species.

Describe the physical characteristics of the Lord Howe Island stick insect.

How did scientists manage to save the Lord Howe Island stick insect?

• By relocating them

• Through a breeding program

• By creating a sanctuary

• By feeding them