Snail Resurgence: 1,329 Critically Endangered Molluscs Released Back into Wild

After nearly a century of absence, over 1,300 critically endangered land snails bred in captivity have been released on Bugio Island, part of a concerted effort to restore their populations following a long battle with invasive species.

In a significant win for conservation efforts, more than 1,300 tiny, pea-sized snails that are critically endangered have been released onto Bugio Island, a remote location in the Atlantic Ocean. This initiative marks the return of two species of Desertas Island land snails that were previously believed to be extinct, with no sightings recorded for over a hundred years.

The journey back into the wild was made possible when conservationists recently discovered a small surviving population clinging to life on the rugged cliffs of Deserta Grande island near Madeira. In response, a rescue effort was initiated, and these snails were brought to various zoos, including Chester Zoo in the UK, where they were housed in specially designed habitat tanks.

Chester Zoo successfully created an environment that mimicked the snails' natural habitat, leading to the birth of 1,329 offspring. Each of these young snails was marked with a unique, non-toxic identification dot to facilitate monitoring. "This colour coding will help us track their dispersal, growth rates, survival, and adaptation to their new home," explained Dinarte Teixeira, a conservation biologist with Madeira's Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests.

The release was conducted on Bugio, a smaller island within the Desertas archipelago, which has been transformed into a safe haven for the snails after the eradication of invasive species that had previously threatened their existence. Gerardo Garcia from Chester Zoo emphasized its significance as a critical step in the species recovery plan. He stated, "If all goes according to plan, we hope many more snails will be released next spring."

The ecological role of these snails is substantial; they contribute to soil health, act as a food source for other native species, and help break down organic matter. Heather Prince from Chester Zoo highlighted their essential relationship with the ecosystem, reinforcing the motto that even the smallest creatures have a large impact on their environment. The initiative reflects a broader commitment to reversing declines in biodiversity and revitalizing native species populations in their natural habitats.