Over 1,300 Tiny Snails Raised in Captivity Released on Uninhabited Island

Hope is rekindled for two species of tiny snails once thought extinct. After being raised in captivity, over 1,300 snails have been released into their natural habitat, a small island off Madeira.

a new beginning for endangered snails

In 2023, a significant conservation milestone was achieved when 1,329 snails, native to the Desertas Islands, were released on Bugio Island after being nurtured in controlled environments. These snails had been marked with a blue dot to ensure they were protected from invasive predators, facilitating their successful reintroduction.

The reintroduction of these tiny gastropods is critical for restoring the ecosystem balance and could potentially expand with further releases planned for next spring.

the journey from near extinction

Efforts to conserve endangered animal species often involve breeding them in captivity before releasing them back into their natural habitats. This approach recently proved successful with Siberian tigers raised in semi-captivity before being released along the Russian-Chinese border. This time, it’s the turn of diminutive snails that have been bred safely within zoos before returning to their island home.

Biologists released 1,329 pea-sized snails on Bugio Island in the Desertas archipelago. Invasive predators had nearly driven these minute creatures to extinction.

• The snails are native to the Desertas Islands off Madeira.
• They were previously believed extinct due to invasive predators like rats and mice.
• No sightings had been recorded for a century until recent conservation expeditions confirmed their survival.

a haven created in captivity

Between 2012 and 2017, conservation expeditions revealed that approximately 200 surviving individuals remained on Deserta Grande Island. Situated southeast of Madeira, this mountainous and wind-swept uninhabited island became a focal point for preservation efforts.

The last surviving individuals were collected by biologists and sent to zoos in France and the UK where they could be bred in safety. Chester Zoo near Liverpool provided an appropriate habitat crafted within a repurposed shipping container. Specially prepared miniature aquariums offered food, vegetation, and suitable conditions allowing these gastropods to thrive.

a marked release

This thriving population at Chester Zoo led biologists to release 1,329 offspring. Prior to release into their natural environment, each snail was marked with small identification dots using non-toxic pens and nail polish.

Certain marking codes enable tracking of dispersion patterns and adaptation success as noted by Dinarte Teixeira from Madeira’s Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests.

a vital role within the ecosystem

The snails were released on Bugio Island which has been human-free since 1990 ensuring its ecosystem remains intact. Invasive species eradication efforts mean the snails no longer face threats from rats or mice but serve as a food source for native predators instead.

• Tiny snails play an essential role in breaking down organic matter thus enriching soil nutrients according to Heather Prince from Chester Zoo.

future prospects: more releases ahead?

The establishment of this sanctuary on Bugio aims at aiding successful reintegration into wild habitats – what Gerardo Garcia at Chester Zoo describes as “a major step” towards any recovery plan involving endangered species worldwide.
If current trends continue positively through monitoring results subsequent batches might also see freedom come springtime next year targeting long-term survival assurance across both unique species involved here today!