'Giant spiders' thriving in wild after zoo release

Chester Zoo said the Fen Raft spider grew "to be the size of your hand"

Thousands of "giant spiders" which were released into the wild by a zoo are thriving in the wild and have had a record mating season, conservationists have said.

Chester Zoo released the spiders a decade ago as part of a project with the RSPB which aimed to save the species from extinction.

More than 10,000 breeding female Fen Raft spiders have been recorded this year, with zoo bosses hailing the breeding programme "a success".

They said the arachnids could "grow to be the size of your hand" so "you can't miss them".

Baby spiders were bred in test tubes and hand fed flies by staff

The Fen Raft played a vital role within healthy aquatic ecosystems but it had almost become extinct 15 years ago after its wetland home was destroyed by people, the zoo said.

The baby spiders had to be bred in individual test tubes so they did not eat each other and zoo staff used tweezers to hand feed them tiny flies.

"Eventually, the young spiders grew strong enough to be returned to their natural habitat, which [the RSPB] worked to restore, and we released them in their hundreds," a zoo representative said.

Posting on X, Chester Zoo said: "We're super proud to be part of this conservation breeding rescue programme, working alongside our friends at the RSPB to prevent the extinction of the Fen Raft spider."

The spiders were in danger of extinction before the zoo and the RSPB launched their conservation project

The spider can be identified by "an eye-catching white stripe that runs along their body", the zoo said.

Tim Strudwick, nature reserves site manager for RSPB Mid Yare in Norfolk, said: "These spiders have an important role in maintaining the rich aquatic diversity found in the grazing ditches on our reserves."

He said the females were "impressive in size, but also beautiful – they are truly special to see".