A species of giant European spider is being saved from extinction in its British habitat through a breeding program established after it nearly disappeared 15 years ago. The great fen raft spider almost vanished after its wetland home was destroyed by development. Baby spiders raised in a project at Chester Zoo had to be bred in individual test tubes to prevent them from eating each other. Once the young were strong enough, they were released by the hundreds into restored habitats. The spiders now number in the thousands. adapted with permission from Earthweek.com<div></div><br>