A complete decade ago, the sole surviving group of greater Bermuda land snails was found in an alley in Hamilton, the capital, where they had taken up residence on concrete slabs near a dripping air conditioner. Presently, these indigenous creatures seem to be flourishing in their natural habitat once more. This positive outcome is attributed to the diligent efforts of conservationists who have bred and released over 10,000 snails into protected wooded areas across the archipelago in the past seven years.
Katie Kelton, an invertebrate keeper at Chester Zoo in the UK, expressed delight in the snails’ progress, noting successful breeding and increasing numbers, marking the project as a triumph. The collaborative initiative involving Chester Zoo, Canada’s Biolinx Environmental Research, and the Bermuda government has been instrumental in rescuing the species from the brink of extinction. A forthcoming publication in Oryx, The International Journal of Conservation, will document the success of the program.
Despite the achievements, the snails still confront threats from habitat destruction and invasive predators, the very factors that nearly eradicated them. Recognized as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the snails play a crucial role in Bermuda’s ecosystems, acting as decomposers and providing calcium sources for natural predators.
The successful reintroduction of the snails was celebrated by the IUCN during Reverse The Red Day, underscoring efforts to combat biodiversity loss. Kelton emphasized the dedication and passion of the team in conserving these snails, highlighting the challenges involved in their captive breeding and reintroduction processes.
While the rewilding of the snails has shown promise in protected woodland areas, uncertainties loom over their long-term survival. Not all reintroduction sites proved successful, with setbacks on main island locations due to human activities and increased predation. Nevertheless, the snails have thrived on offshore islands, breeding and expanding their presence in local ecosystems.
Mark Outerbridge, Bermuda’s senior biodiversity officer, emphasized the need for ongoing vigilance to safeguard the reintroduced snail colonies. Strict conservation management measures, including birth control for invasive predators and awareness campaigns, are being implemented to protect the snails in their new habitats.
Kelton expressed her pride in contributing to the preservation of the beloved snails, emphasizing the importance of giving this species a fighting chance amidst the threats they face.
