Spiders 'the size of your palm' are spreading across the UK faster than ever
UK, a surprising turn of events may leave arachnophobes unsettled. The country is seeing a boom in giant Fen Raft spiders, with some reaching the size of a human palm. Nearly ten years after Chester Zoo first began reintroducing these spiders to save them from extinction, the arachnid population has grown massively. Now, more than 10,000 breeding females are flourishing, marking a remarkable comeback for the species.
«Ten years ago, we helped release thousands of giant spiders back into the UK. The Fen Raft Spiders were bred right here at the zoo, and we're super happy to report there are now more than 10,000 breeding females, and they've just had the biggest mating season on record!» Chester Zoo said in a statement.
The conservation efforts have been hailed as a success, with the zoo expressing pride in its role in bringing back a species once on the brink of extinction.
«We're so proud of the part we've played in this incredible conservation success story, ensuring the survival of a species that was previously on the brink of extinction,» the zoo added.
Surge of spider population
Chester Zoo, working with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), initiated the Fen Raft spider project to reverse the species' decline. In 2011, the team raised hundreds of spiderlings in individual test tubes, where they were carefully nurtured and fed tiny flies with tweezers in a biosecure breeding facility. This meticulous care helped the spiders grow strong enough to be reintroduced to restored habitats.
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