In a recent interview with invertebrate zookeeper Katie Kelton, she shared the success story of the greater Bermuda land snails’ conservation efforts. A decade ago, the snails were found surviving in an alleyway in Hamilton, Bermuda. Today, thanks to the dedicated work of conservationists from Chester Zoo, Biolinx Environmental Research, and the Bermuda government, over 10,000 snails have been bred in captivity and released into protected habitats on the archipelago.
Kelton expressed delight at the snails’ thriving population growth in the wild, noting confirmed breeding and increasing numbers as signs of success. The ongoing project, aimed at saving the critically endangered species, will be detailed in an upcoming issue of Oryx, The International Journal of Conservation.
While the snails face threats such as habitat loss and invasive predators, their importance to Bermuda’s ecosystem cannot be overstated. Acting as decomposers, they play a vital role in nutrient recycling and are a valuable source of calcium for native birds and reptiles.
The successful re-introduction of the snails was celebrated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature during Reverse The Red Day. Despite the challenges faced during the captive breeding process, the team’s dedication and passion for conservation have paid off.
However, the long-term survival of the snails remains uncertain, as they continue to battle threats in the wild. Timothy Pearce, a mollusk curator, emphasized the importance of ongoing research to ensure the snails’ secure future in their natural habitat.
While some re-introduction sites have been more successful than others, efforts to safeguard the snails’ colonies are ongoing. Public awareness campaigns and conservation management strategies are being implemented to protect the snails and their habitats.
Kelton expressed her gratitude for being part of the snails’ conservation journey, highlighting the importance of giving these often-overlooked creatures a fighting chance at survival.
