Lord Howe Island's cloud forest makes unbelievable recovery from vermin

November 25, 2024 7:05 AM

Lord Howe Island's magical cloud forest makes unbelievable recovery from vermin. The forest at the tip of Lord Howe Island's highest peak is an otherworldly place alive with animals and plants not found elsewhere on Earth. But it's taken radical action to save it.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries (8 comments total)

*****/***** photos.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:09 AM on November 25

It's hard to search because of the layout but I think for some reason they don't mention the tree lobster? They really should mention the tree lobster, AKA the Lord Howe Island stick insect. The rats ate them all off the island but the found a few on Ball's Pyramid, so in principle they can reintroduce them when the rats are gone. As of 2023 they were planning on reintroducing them to the nearby Blackburn island as a test for Lord Howe.
posted by SaltySalticid at 7:13 AM on November 25 [9 favorites]

That’s a lot of vermin!
posted by Captaintripps at 8:30 AM on November 25

Beat me to it, SaltySalticid! I'm also surprised the Lord Howe stick insect didn't merit a mention, considering what a sensation it was that they were found on a single bush on Ball's Pyramid. Thanks to a worldwide breeding program, hopefully they can soon be reintroduced to their native range.
posted by 1adam12 at 8:41 AM on November 25 [4 favorites]

wow. otherworldly indeed. I need to add this to my retirement "visit all the trees" itinerary!
posted by supermedusa at 10:21 AM on November 25

Visit the majestic tree lobsters in this documentary film
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 1:57 PM on November 25 [1 favorite]

Delightful, ty for this
posted by Sebmojo at 5:08 PM on November 25

I assume the rats, mice, cats, and pigs were brought there via shipping stops? I have a soft spot for all of those species, so it's a little bit sad, but the stunningly broad-spectrum results of the eradication are hard to argue with.
posted by rabia.elizabeth at 7:17 AM on November 26