The Portuguese archipelago of Madeira has been the stage for a remarkable conservation effort aiming to reverse centuries of ecological damage. The protagonists of this story are the population of small land snails, no bigger than a pea, that were once believed to be extinct.
Their recent release on Bugio Island marks a turning point in the fight to preserve biodiversity in a threatened island environment.
Threats to Madeira’s Snails
The survival of snails in Madeira has been at risk due to the introduction of invasive species, such as goats and rodents, which have devastated local ecosystems.
Goats destroy native vegetation, removing shelters and essential food sources for the snails, while mice and rats feed directly on the mollusks. Habitat loss, aggravated by human activity, has also significantly reduced the available areas for these endemic species.
Rediscovery and Classification as “Lazarus Species”
Between 2012 and 2017, researchers from the Institute of Nature Conservation and Forests (IFCN) in Madeira conducted expeditions on Deserta Grande and found nearly 200 living snails belonging to two species that were believed to be extinct.
These findings revived hope among conservationists and granted the snails the designation of “Lazarus species”, in reference to the biblical character who was resurrected.
Dinarte Teixeira, one of the responsible researchers, told Agence France-Presse (AFP): “For 100 years we thought they had disappeared forever, but now there is new hope”.
Efforts of Captive Breeding
Concerned about the extreme vulnerability of the snails found, the researchers decided to transfer them to captive breeding programs in zoos in the United Kingdom and France. Chester Zoo in England was one of the main centers where a pioneering project was started to study and breed the snails.
Gerardo García, the zoo’s ectotherms director, described the process as an experiment from scratch. Over time, they managed to breed more than 1,300 specimens from an initial group of 60 snails, thanks to a collective effort that involved “countless hours” of dedication.
Reintroduction into Nature
The next step was the reintroduction of the snails into their natural habitat. Researchers chose Bugio Island, which had been cleared of goats and rodents. There, 1,329 captive-bred snails were released. Scientists marked the snails’ shells with an ultraviolet marker to monitor their progress and evaluate the project’s success.
“It’s a great team effort, showing that it’s possible to change the situation for highly endangered species,” García stated.
Ecological Importance of Snails
Snails play a crucial role in ecosystems, acting as natural recyclers and contributing to the nutrient cycle. Their disappearance can negatively impact soil fertility and the overall health of the ecosystem.
The initial success of the reintroduction on Bugio has motivated the planning of new projects. In the coming years, at least four additional releases will take place in different areas of the Madeira archipelago. The ultimate goal is to establish self-sustaining populations that can thrive without human intervention.
The story of Madeira’s snails highlights the importance of collective efforts and innovation in conservation of endangered species populations.
If current projects continue to show positive results, Madeira’s snails could become a symbol of what is possible when science and human dedication come together to preserve life.
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