A Second Chance for the Desertas Island Land Snails

Conservationists in the UK and Portugal have achieved a remarkable feat, saving two critically endangered snail species from extinction and reintroducing them to their natural habitat. This success story began with the rediscovery of a small population of the snails on Deserta Grande island, near Madeira, in 2017. Previously believed to be extinct, these tiny creatures were the last of their kind.

A team from Portugal's Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation (IFCN) sent 60 of the pea-sized snails to Chester Zoo in England. There, specialists meticulously recreated the perfect conditions for the snails to thrive and successfully bred them for the first time ever in human care. The snails were then sent to two other leading European conservation zoos, where their numbers multiplied.

Following these breeding successes, 1,329 snails were returned to Bugio Island, a neighboring island that had been cleared of invasive goats, rats, and mice – the main threats that nearly wiped out the snails. This landmark reintroduction marked a crucial step in the species' recovery.

Each snail released on Bugio Island was individually color-marked for careful monitoring. If the reintroduction proves successful, more snails will be released to further boost the population.

The IFCN's species recovery plan involved habitat restoration, pest control, field surveys, and the successful breeding program. This collaborative effort has brought new hope for the future of these unique snails, once thought lost forever. The Desertas Islands are the only place in the world where they can be found, and conservationists are committed to giving them the best possible chance for survival.