A complete decade ago, the sole surviving greater Bermuda land snail population was found in an alleyway in Hamilton’s capital, where they had settled on concrete slabs near a dripping air conditioner. Presently, these native creatures seem to be thriving in their natural habitat once more. This positive development is attributed to the efforts of conservationists who bred over 10,000 snails in captivity and released them into Bermuda’s protected wooded areas over the past seven years.
Katie Kelton, an invertebrate keeper at Chester Zoo in the U.K., expressed delight in the snails’ progress, noting successful breeding and increasing numbers, marking the project as a triumph. The conservation initiative, carried out collaboratively by Chester Zoo, Biolinx Environmental Research based in Canada, and the Bermuda government, will soon be detailed in an upcoming edition of Oryx, The International Journal of Conservation.
Despite the recent success, the snails still face threats from habitat destruction and invasive predators, challenges that had nearly led to their extinction. Recognized as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the P. bermudensis snails have been on the brink of extinction due to human interference in their environment and the introduction of invasive predator species.
The successful re-introduction of the snails was acknowledged by the IUCN during Reverse The Red Day, a celebration of efforts to combat biodiversity loss. Katie Kelton shared the challenges faced during the captive breeding process, emphasizing the team’s dedication and passion for conservation. Timothy Pearce, a mollusk curator at Carnegie Museum of Natural History, emphasized the importance of ongoing research to ensure the long-term survival of re-introduced snails in secure habitats.
Although some re-introduced snails faced challenges on the main island sites due to human presence and predators, those released on offshore islands have thrived, breeding successfully and integrating into the local ecosystems. Notably, the snails have flourished on Nonsuch Island, a nature reserve known for its rare and endangered flora and fauna. Continuous efforts are essential to safeguard the re-introduced colonies and ensure their sustained safety.
Kelton expressed her honor in contributing to the rescue of these beloved snails, emphasizing the importance of giving this species a fighting chance.