The Wilds is one of the few institutions to work on the recovery of this critically endangered species.
And, it is the only site in the United States where the beetles are both bred and released.
In 2022, 30 breeding pairs of American burying beetles were collected from Nebraska through a partnership with the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. These American burying beetles produced 1,091 offspring, of which 380 were released on site at The Wilds. An additional 64 breeding pairs and 9 individuals were released. The rest were bred at The Wilds and the Cincinnati Zoo.
A total of 289 larvae (“baby beetles”) were born in 2022 at The Wilds and have been bred to produce beetles that will be released in 2023.
Prior to the creation of The Wilds’ breeding and reintroduction project, American burying beetles had not been seen in Ohio since 1974!
In 2023, The Wilds produced 645 beetles in human care. Along with our partners at Cincinnati Zoo, 688 American burying beetles were released at The Wilds, which produced 564 offspring. A stellar year!
