The Conservationists Assemble is back with Volume 50! Tune in to part 2 of the conversation with your host Jonny Bloxham and special guests, Kate Pearce and Rohan Cleave from Melbourne Zoo & Zoos Victoria. This episode is all about the Lord Howe island stick insect. A critically endangered invertebrate endemic to Lord Howe island that went from estimated millions in population to what was thought to be complete extinction in the matter of a decade with the wreckage of a ship and the arrival of invasive rodents in the 1900s. That was until 2001 when a population of anywhere between 9-35 individuals were found on six Melaleuca howeana shrubs on the nearby and almost inhospitable, Ball's pyramid. This conversation highlights a tremendous and ongoing effort to save a species from extinction. Find some awesome resources and links below:

Sticky: Rediscovering the Lord Howe Stick Insect - Island Conservation

(PDF) The recovery programme for the Lord Howe Island Phasmid (Dryococelus australis) following its rediscovery

(PDF) Rediscovery of the ‘extinct’ Lord Howe Island stick-insect (Dryococelus australis (Montrouzier)) (Phasmatodea) and recommendations for its conservation

Lord Howe Island Stick Insect Conservation Breeding Program turns 20

Beyond Mega Zoo - The Lord Howe Island stick insect

Lord Howe Stick Insects, resilient survivors but are they cute?

Museum Lecture: The true life adventure story of Lord Howe Island Stick Insect

Reading with a Ranger – “Phasmid Saving the Lord Howe Island Stick Insect”

Home | Lord Howe Island Board

Phasmid Pale Ale 16-Case – Lord Howe Island Brewing Co

https://www.instagram.com/lenkomelb?igsh=cWdnZDdtaXpubThy - a link to the talented Dana Lenko who produced the jumper that Kate was wearing (and briefly discussed in part. 2)