A complete decade ago, the single surviving population of greater Bermuda land snails was found in an alleyway in Hamilton, the capital city. They had settled on concrete slabs near a leaking air conditioner, creating a moist environment. Today, these native creatures seem to be flourishing in their natural habitat once more.

This positive outcome is the result of conservationists’ efforts to breed the snails in captivity and release over 10,000 of them into protected wooded areas across the archipelago in the past seven years. Katie Kelton, an invertebrate keeper at Chester Zoo in the U.K., expressed delight at the success of the project, noting confirmed breeding and increasing numbers among the snail population.

The collaborative initiative involving Chester Zoo, Biolinx Environmental Research based in Canada, and the Bermuda government has been instrumental in rescuing the species from the brink of extinction. A forthcoming study in Oryx, The International Journal of Conservation, will detail the accomplishments of the program.

Despite these achievements, the snails still confront threats such as habitat loss and invasive predators, challenges that nearly drove them to extinction. The tiny snails, known scientifically as P. bermudensis, are crucial to Bermuda’s ecosystems, playing a vital role as decomposers and providing essential nutrients through their interactions with the environment.

Kelton highlighted the snails’ aesthetic appeal, describing them as “really cute and pretty” due to their intricate patterns. The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies P. bermudensis as critically endangered, attributing their decline to human activities and the introduction of invasive species.

The successful reintroduction of the snails was recognized by the IUCN during Reverse The Red Day, which commemorates efforts to combat biodiversity loss. However, challenges persist in ensuring the long-term survival of the species, with ongoing monitoring and conservation measures required to safeguard their future.

Kelton emphasized the dedication of the team involved in the project, underscoring their passion for invertebrates and conservation. The snails’ reintroduction to various sites in Bermuda has seen mixed results, with successes on offshore islands where breeding and expansion of their territories have occurred.

While the journey to save the Bermuda land snails has been arduous, Kelton expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the preservation of a species she deeply admires.