Prague Zoo Unveils Exhibit for Baumhummer, Once Thought Extinct

The rare insect, rediscovered in the early 2000s, is now part of a breeding program following the arrival of 400 eggs from Melbourne Zoo.

The Baumhummer, native to the Lord Howe Islands, was believed extinct for nearly 80 years after rats decimated the population in 1918.
A small surviving population was rediscovered on Ball's Pyramid, a remote island, in the early 2000s, sparking global conservation efforts.
The Prague Zoo's breeding program began with 400 eggs sourced from the Melbourne Zoo, which has worked on Baumhummer conservation for two decades.
Efforts to adapt the species to Europe include identifying the large-leaved fig tree as a preferred food source in the Prague Zoo.
The public can now view the Baumhummer in Prague, marking a significant milestone in raising awareness about biodiversity conservation.