A decade ago, the last surviving group of greater Bermuda land snails was found in an alley in Hamilton, where they had settled on concrete slabs near a leaking air conditioner. Today, these native creatures seem to be flourishing in the wild again, thanks to conservationists who bred them in captivity and released over 10,000 snails into protected wooded areas throughout the archipelago in the past seven years.
Katie Kelton, an invertebrate zookeeper at Chester Zoo in the UK, expressed delight at the snails’ progress, noting successful breeding and population growth. The collaborative efforts of Chester Zoo, Biolinx Environmental Research in Canada, and the Bermudian government have been instrumental in rescuing the species from the brink of extinction. A forthcoming publication in Oryx, The International Journal of Conservation, will detail the achievements of this conservation initiative.
Although significant strides have been made, the snails still confront threats such as habitat destruction and invasive predators, challenges that previously pushed them to the edge of extinction.
The greater Bermuda land snails, also known as P. bermudensis, are crucial to Bermuda’s ecosystem, serving as decomposers that break down leaf litter and enrich the soil with nutrients. Additionally, their shells provide calcium for indigenous birds and reptiles, supporting the production of sturdy eggs.
Despite their petite size, these snails boast intricate patterns and are adored for their charm. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categorizes P. bermudensis as critically endangered due to human intervention in their habitat and the introduction of invasive species that threatened their existence.
The successful reintroduction of the snails was celebrated by the IUCN during Reverse The Red Day, recognizing efforts to preserve biodiversity. Katie Kelton described the painstaking process of breeding and caring for the endangered snails, emphasizing the team’s dedication to conservation.
While the snails have been reintroduced to several protected woodland sites and have shown signs of successful breeding and expansion, their long-term survival remains uncertain. Conservationists continue to monitor and protect the re-established colonies from potential threats to ensure their ongoing existence.