Historic Milestone in Conservation Efforts
A remarkable global conservation initiative has marked a significant milestone with the reintroduction of the tiny snail species Partula tohiveana to the wild. For the first time in four decades, conservationists have discovered born-in-the-wild adult specimens, confirming that these precious molluscs have successfully established themselves once again in French Polynesia.
Successful Reintroduction of Snails
In the yearly reintroduction initiative, more than 6,000 snails classified as Extinct-in-the-Wild and Critically Endangered were successfully returned to their native island of Moorea by zoos around the globe. The team, led by Paul Pearce-Kelly, Senior Curator of Invertebrates & Fish and Partula project coordinator at ZSL, made an exciting discovery: unmarked Partula tohiveana snails. This finding serves as vital evidence that previously reintroduced individuals have successfully bred in the wild.
This groundbreaking development allows Partula tohiveana to be officially considered established in their native habitat, a testament to the dedication and collaboration of conservationists over the past 40 years. As a result, efforts will now shift towards downlisting the species from Extinct-in-the-Wild to Critically Endangered on the IUCN’s Red List.
Journey to Their Native Habitat
The reintroduced snails, bred at various zoos including London Zoo, Bristol Zoological Society, and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, traveled over 15,000 km to Tahiti at the start of September. Prior to their two-day journey to the islands of Tahiti, Moorea, and Huahine, each snail, measuring a mere 1-2 cm, was meticulously counted and marked with a dot of yellow UV reflective paint. This unique ‘snail varnish’ glows under UV light, aiding conservationists in monitoring these nocturnal creatures during their active hours.
Cultural and Ecological Importance
Paul Pearce-Kelly emphasised the cultural and ecological significance of these snails: “Though tiny, these snails possess immense cultural, scientific, and conservation value. Partula snails are integral to Polynesia’s rich cultural heritage and play a crucial role in the health of their forest ecosystems. They have been studied for over a century, offering insights into species evolution in isolated environments.”
He added, ‘This joint conservation initiative plays a vital role in preventing these species from facing extinction. It showcases how conservation zoos can combat biodiversity loss, and amidst unprecedented challenges facing nature, these small snails embody hope for global wildlife.”
Restoring Ecological Balance
Partula snails, commonly referred to as Polynesian tree snails, play an essential role in maintaining forest health by feeding on decomposing plant material and fungi. Their return to the wild is vital for restoring ecological balance in these islands.
Collaborating with the French Polynesian Government’s Direction de l’environnement, conservation zoos have been instrumental in safeguarding Partula snails from extinction. The introduction of the invasive rosy wolf snail in the late 20th century had dire consequences, leading to the near extinction of many native species.
Long-Term Commitment to Conservation
The last remaining individuals of several Partula species were rescued by London and Edinburgh Zoos in the early 1990s, initiating an international conservation breeding programme. This collaboration now includes 15 zoos caring for 15 species and subspecies, most classified as Extinct-in-the-Wild. The snails from these initiatives, alongside those being researched at universities in the UK and North America, have been foundational for the species’ reintroduction efforts.
Paul concluded, After years of careful nurturing in conservation zoos and collaboration with local authorities to prepare the islands, we commenced reintroducing Partula snails into their tropical forest homes nearly a decade ago. This year’s release, the largest to date, has seen over 30,000 snails reintroduced, showcasing the incredible efforts of our international team and partners.
London Zoo’s coordination of the Partula snail reintroduction project is made possible through the generous support of players from the People’s Postcode Lottery, allowing the zoo to continue its vital work in bringing species back from the brink of extinction.
