Tiny snail thought extinct brought bank from the brink by experts at Chester Zoo
Over 100,000 greater Bermuda snails have been released into the wild
The greater Bermuda snail, once thought extinct, has been officially saved after conservationists at Chester Zoo took part in a pioneering programme to breed and release more than 100,000 specimens into the wild.
Rediscovered a decade ago in Bermuda's capital, Hamilton, the tiny snails were found in an alleyway with a small surviving population.
A partnership between the Bermuda government, Biolinx Environmental Research, and Chester Zoo led to the landmark conservation achievement, announced on Reverse the Red Day (7th February).
Tamas Papp, Invertebrates Assistant Team Manager at Chester Zoo, highlighted the significance of the effort.
“It’s every conservationist’s dream to help save a whole species – and that’s exactly what we’ve done,” Papp said.
The released snails have successfully established six colonies in Bermuda, confirmed by an assessment in Oryx, The International Journal of Conservation.
“With less than 200 snails initially, we've now released over 100,000,” said Dr Mark Outerbridge, Wildlife Ecologist at Bermuda's Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Chester Zoo’s Role
The expert team at Chester Zoo bred the snails in specially designed pods before releasing them in protected woodland habitats.
Gerardo Garcia, Animal & Plant Director at Chester Zoo, remarked on the importance of the establishment.
“The snails have firmly established in six areas, expanding in range,” Garcia said.
The findings from Chester Zoo now form part of the first conservation breeding guide for Poecilozonites bermudensis.
“Being able to say the snails are now safe from extinction is amazing,” Garcia expressed.
Long-term Ecological Impact
Facing threats from habitat loss, climate change, and predators, snails play a vital role as prey and consumers within ecosystems.
Reintroducing p. bermudensis is important for conservation efforts, according to Dr Kristiina Ovaska from Biolinx.
Dr Ovaska described the snails’ role in turning over nutrients within their habitat.
The Bermuda government is simultaneously working on nature regeneration projects to support further ecological improvements.
Chester Zoo will now focus on preserving the lesser Bermuda land snail (Poecilozonites circumfirmatus), while prepared to reinforce the greater Bermuda snail population if necessary.
Ruth Davis OBE, UK Special Representative for Nature, praised the cross-border collaboration.
“This is an example of brilliant conservation science, demonstrating what's possible when we work together to restore nature,” Davis said.