A tiny Bermudan snail, once thought to be extinct, has been successfully reintroduced to its natural habitat after conservation efforts by Chester Zoo.
A tiny species of snail known as the greater Bermuda land snail has been saved from extinction following major conservation efforts by Chester Zoo. The species faced numerous threats including habitat loss and predation from the invasive wolf snail, which led to its significant decline. In 2014, the situation took a hopeful turn when a few of these snails were discovered in an alleyway in the Bermudan capital of Hamilton, prompting conservationists to take action.
After the initial discovery, several snails were transported to Chester Zoo in the UK, where dedicated experts worked tirelessly to cultivate their population. Over the years, the zoo's breeding program successfully increased the number of snails, resulting in thousands being released back into their natural habitat in Bermuda in 2019. This concerted effort aimed not only to restore the population but also to ensure the long-term survival of the species.
Recently, Chester Zoo has announced that six colonies of the re-wilded greater Bermuda land snails have successfully settled in the wild, marking a significant milestone in conservation. With their lineage tracing back over a million years, these snails are not only vital to Bermuda's ecosystem but serve as a testament to the impact of conservation efforts in saving endangered species from extinction. This recovery highlights the importance of wildlife protection and the potential for positive outcomes when human intervention is carefully managed.
