Discover the incredible story of how a global conservation effort has successfully reintroduced a ‘Extinct-in-the-Wild’ species of tropical tree snail to its native habitat in French Polynesia, marking a major milestone in the fight against biodiversity loss.
The Resurrection of the Minor Molluscs
The Partula tohiveana snail has been finally rediscovered breeding in the wild after being declared ‘Extinct-in-the-Wild’ for four long decades on isolated islands of French Polynesia.
The world-first success is the work of a global consortium of zoos and scientists. After Partula species were finally declared extinct in the wild, the relict populations of fairly few individuals of several Partula species were collected in London and Edinburgh Zoos at international breeding programs began to be established in the 1980s/1990s.
The program has reintroduced over 30,000 Partula snails, including 10 ‘Extinct in the Wild’ species and subspecies, back into their natural tropical rainforest homes around the region. Due to the hard work and dedication of an international team including Dr Justin Gerlach from Manchester Practices in Primary Care, who has been working with the snails for 20 years since he was a graduate student and now also in Cambridge, this year’s release of 6,000 snails was the largest so far.
A Vital Role in the Ecosystem
Partula Snails, or Polynesian Tree Snails are keystone species in the forests where they live. Very small molluscs, measuring only 1-2 cm long, that feed on decomposing plant matter and fungi to break organic material down and recycle nutrients back into the system.
In reintroducing Partula snail populations to their natural habitats, conservationists are not only preventing extinction but also aiding in the restoration of tropical forest ecosystems on these islands. The snails, have been studied for more than a century to better understand the mechanisms of evolution in someplace as isolated and unique place like Polynesia where endemic species like these are typical found.
The triumphant reintroduction of the Tohiveana Partula snail was an example of the savageness of collaborations and nature. It is a sign that though species can be declared ‘Extinct-in-the-Wild’, with hard work and out-of-the-box innovation, we can bring them back to the edge of full-form and biodiversity in our planet.
Conclusion
This rediscovery is a conservation success story that demonstrates how partnerships in conservation can bring species back, and showcases the ability of nature to recover. This conservation victory not only spares a one-of-a-kind species from being lost forever, but also repairs the ecosystem in its home region of tropical forests on French Polynesia. In a world increasingly threatened by the irreversible loss of global biodiversity, Partula species are living proof that with sustained effort and groundbreaking strategies, even the ‘Extinct’ can be resurrected.
