In brief
Chester Zoo spearheads efforts to revive the population of snails thought to be extinct, with a successful release of over 1,300 bred in captivity.
In a significant milestone for conservation, more than 1,300 pea-sized, critically endangered land snails have been reintroduced to their natural habitat on Bugio Island, a remote location in the Atlantic. These snails, part of two species native to the Desertas Islands, had not been seen for over a century and were feared extinct until a small population was discovered on rocky cliffs of Deserta Grande island near Madeira. This discovery sparked a rescue initiative, bringing a handful of the surviving snails into captivity to breed in specialized environments, including Chester Zoo.Habitat destruction caused by invasive species—rats, mice, and goats, introduced by humans—was believed to be the primary reason for the snails' decline. However, conservationists found approximately 200 individuals alive between 2012 and 2017, leading to a breeding program at zoos in the UK and France. Chester Zoo created ideal conditions for about 60 snails in miniature habitat tanks, ultimately producing 1,329 offspring, now marked with non-toxic color-coded identification dots.Dinarte Teixeira, a conservation biologist, explained the importance of marking the snails for effective monitoring of their growth and survival rate in the wild. The soft release of these juveniles on Bugio, an island free of invasive species, is part of a larger recovery plan aimed at restoring the ecological balance. Gerardo Garcia from Chester Zoo expressed optimism about the future of these snails, stating, "If it goes as well as we hope, more snails will follow them next spring.”Heather Prince from Chester Zoo emphasized the ecological roles that these snails play, maintaining soil health and providing nutrients to native plants. This project illustrates the collaborative effort and dedication required for overturning declines in highly threatened species, underscoring the often-overlooked importance of small creatures like snails in the ecosystem. As conservation efforts continue, the successful release on Bugio Island marks a hopeful turning point for the Desertas Island land snails.
