Two snail species thought to be extinct rediscovered

By Bradley Stokes via SWNS

Two snail species thought to have been extinct for more than 100 years have been rediscovered and saved by conservationists in the UK and Portugal.

The Desertas Island land snails were thought to have disappeared altogether, having not been recorded living for more than a century.

But experts have rediscovered tiny populations of two species on an isolated island in the Madeira Archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean.

They consisted of fewer than 300 surviving individuals and two British zoos have now successfully bred both species of snail for the first time ever in human care.

Around 60 were collected from the island and flown 1,500 miles to the UK, where specialists successfully reproduced 1,200 snails to save them from extinction.

The tiny creatures - which are dwarfed by a 25 cent coin - are now believed to be the very last of their kind on the planet.

(Chester Zoo via SWNS)

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Chester Zoo and Bristol Zoological Society are leading the last-ditch rescue attempt to boost numbers and save the species.

Dr. Gerardo Garcia, Chester Zoo’s curator of lower vertebrates and invertebrates, said: “These snails had not been seen for decades and were thought to have gone extinct.

"So urgent action was required when only a handful of these special snails were found clinging on to survival.

“Starting with just 20 of the last known individuals on the planet from each group, there was a lot of pressure to find answers quickly.

"But with the technical knowledge, scientific underpinning and the skills developed here at the zoo with other highly endangered invertebrates, our team was able to develop the ideal breeding conditions.

"Now, with more than 1,200 safely in our care, we can say that we have prevented two magnificent species from becoming extinct, which is an incredible achievement.

“This is just the first step in our recovery plan and, looking ahead, the snails here will form a safety-net population and become part of an international breeding program that provides a sustainable future for the species.

"We’re also hopeful that many of the snails bred here will be reintroduced to some of the surrounding Desertas islands, once work is completed to restore habitat and remove the invasive species that have devastated the islands – allowing the snails and other endemic species to flourish.”

Both zoos say they have created special breeding centers which closely replicate the perfect conditions for the snails to reproduce and thrive.

Mark Bushell, curator of invertebrates at Bristol Zoo, added: “These snails are a vital part of the natural ecosystem on the Desertas Islands.

"They are found nowhere else on the planet, so to be able to play a part in securing the future of these species is a huge privilege.

“We will draw on the wealth of knowledge and experience that we have from decades spent breeding and caring for a range of other critically endangered snail species, and use this to ensure this species is given the best possible chance for the future.

“Collaborative projects such as this are testament to the vital role that good zoos play in safeguarding at-risk species, working together to safeguard threatened species and habitats all over the world."

Following the rediscovery, both species (Discula lyelliana and Geomitra grabhami) have been listed as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The snails’ main threats are invasive mice and goat species – introduced by human settlers – predating on the snails and destroying their habitat.

Dinarte Teixeira, Malacologist for the Instituto das Florestas e Conservação da Natureza (IFCN) in Madeira, added: "This project is a dramatic call for action to protect this unique land snails species.

"They are currently restricted to small pockets of refuge, genetically isolated, having been fiercely predated by invasive mice.

"After more than 100 years without live records, their rediscovery enables us to implement immediate conservation actions directed to these snails.

“We are also eager to learn more about the species ecology and its requirements, where little is known.

"The field data collected will be decisive when deciding about future population reinforcement or species reintroduction in nearby islands.

“All critical information will be part of the species conservation plan and we are confident that we will be able to make the best-informed decision about the conservation of these unique land snails."