Prague Zoo joins bid to ensure survival of rare insect once considered extinct

The endangered Lord Howe Island stick insect (Petr David Josek/AP)

The Prague Zoo has joined an international effort to ensure the survival of a rare insect that had been considered extinct for more than 80 years.

The zoo in the Czech Republic is among six institutions around the world that have been able to create living conditions for the largest species of flightless insect, the Lord Howe Island stick insect, which grows up to 15cm (5.9 inches) long.