Chester Zoo has played a pivotal role in the successful reintroduction of 1,329 critically endangered land snails to their native habitat on Bugio Island, marking a substantial step in conservation efforts for these once-thought extinct species.
1,329 Critically Endangered Snails Reintroduced to Their Native Habitat
1,329 Critically Endangered Snails Reintroduced to Their Native Habitat
Conservationists achieve a milestone as a significant number of tiny land snails, once thought extinct, are released back into the wild on Bugio Island.
More than 1,300 pea-sized, critically endangered land snails bred in captivity have been successfully released on Bugio Island, a remote area of the Atlantic. This landmark event marks a significant conservation effort to restore two species of Desertas Island land snails, which had not been seen for over a century.
The project was initiated after a small population was discovered on the rocky cliffs of Deserta Grande island between 2012 and 2017. Conservationists found just 200 of these snails survived amid the invasive threats of rats and goats. Chester Zoo, alongside other institutions, took the lead in rescuing these snails by bringing them into captivity to protect them from extinction.
At Chester Zoo, the conservation science team meticulously crafted a habitat for 60 of the snails. Through careful attention to diet and environment, a thriving population emerged. The 1,329 offspring were marked with non-toxic dots for tracking and measuring their adaptation post-release.
Dinarte Teixeira, a conservation biologist from Madeira's Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests, explained that the color-coded markings will allow researchers to monitor the snails as they disperse, grow, and acclimate to their restored environment.
The release occurred on Bugio, a neighboring island that has been made a safe haven after eradicating invasive species. Gerardo Garcia from Chester Zoo described this reintroduction as a critical step in a broader recovery plan for the species. Successful adaptation of these snails could pave the way for more snails to be reintroduced next spring.
Heather Prince from Chester Zoo emphasized the ecological role of snails, noting that they are vital contributors to their environment by breaking down organic matter and enriching the soil, which in turn fosters plant growth. The efforts demonstrate a collaborative approach to conserving highly threatened species, highlighting the importance of such initiatives in reversing trends of extinction.
