Are Desertas Island land snails finally saved from extinction?
- More than 1,300 land snails bred in the UK were released into the wild after a successful conservation program.
- The snails were once believed to have been extinct for over a century, with their population declining due to invasive species.
- Conservationists hope the reintroduction will support the survival of this unique species in its native habitat.
In a significant conservation effort in the Madeira archipelago, over 1,300 pea-sized Desertas Island land snails were recently reintroduced to their natural habitat. Once thought extinct after no sightings were recorded for over a century, these snails were rediscovered on Desertas Granda Island. Conservationists from the UK and Madeira collaborated in a breeding program which began after sending 60 individuals to Chester Zoo to create optimal breeding conditions. Following months of dedicated work, the program successfully bred both species of snails for the first time in human care. The effort was a response to the alarming decline in the land snail populations, primarily due to invasive species like goats, mice, and rats that had devastated their numbers on the islands. These invasive species had not only threatened their survival but were responsible for almost wiping them out. After establishing a suitable breeding environment, various zoos, including the Bristol Zoological Society and Beauval Nature in France, assisted in nurturing additional snails to help increase their numbers. With the removal of invasive species from Bugio Island, where the snails were reintroduced, the area has been restored, providing these small creatures with a safer environment. Prior to this effort, the Desertas Island land snails were on the brink of extinction, having not been seen in more than a hundred years. Conservationists celebrated this milestone, noting that extensive planning and commitment were key to the successful breeding and reintroduction of the species. Biologist Dinarte Teixeira highlighted the uniqueness of these snails, as they can only be found on the Desertas Islands, emphasizing the importance of the conservation work conducted on their behalf. Markings with infra-red paint were placed on the reintroduced snails to allow for ongoing monitoring, ensuring that the population can be tracked and further conservation efforts can be adapted as needed. This venture gives new hope for the future of Desertas Island land snails, illustrating the promising impact of concerted conservation efforts in reversing trends of extinction.