Prague Zoo Director Miroslav Bobek in a recent article explains the Prague connection:

“We joined the effort to save Lord Howe Island stick insect years ago, when we started to support financially the genetical research; after all, the entire population in human care originates from such a small number of specimens that you could count them on the fingers of one hand (only Vanessa, the female, joined the original two pairs recently), and also on the Ball’s Pyramid the stick insects hover on the edge of survival.

Also, years ago we started striving to get the Lord Howe Island stick insect for our zoo. It meant a protracted negotiation for many permissions and agreements and creating the conditions for their breeding in our zoo as well.

In the area of the former elephant house, we created the breeding facility with a window for visitors and, in addition to the greenhouses with the necessary nutrient plants, we added an impressive model of Ball’s Pyramid (2.8 metres high, created by 3D print), a large model of Lord Howe Island stick insect, a detailed information system and the projection of an animated film. On the occasion of opening, the new main season we will introduce the Lord Howe Island stick insect for the first time!

The Prague breeding program for Lord Howe Island stick insects was based on specimens from Bristol, UK. The first nymph hatched at Prague Zoo on 7 October, 2024, followed by several others.

In 2025, the Ball’s Pyramid exhibit was opened for the stick insects. Prague Zoo is currently the only zoo on the European continent to exhibit this species.”

See https://www.zoopraha.cz/en/about-zoo/news/director-s-view/15336-a-unique-insect-at-prague-zoo.

Everything you need about the out new exhibition at this link: https://www.zoopraha.cz/en/pyramid.

This article appeared in The Lord Howe Island Signal, 30 April 2025.