In brief
A daring rescue operation by Chester Zoo staff has delivered 300 endangered Madeiran lands snails back to Bugio Island in the Atlantic. The tiny 8‑mm creatures, once reduced to just 21 individuals, were bred in captivity and carefully reintroduced amid rough seas and cliff‑climbing challenges. This effort not only revives a nearly extinct species but also restores vital soil‑generating gastropods to their native habitat. Conservationists will now monitor the snails as they settle and thrive again.
Just weeks ago, Chester Zoo conservationists faced a dramatic mission – to rescue one of the planet’s most endangered snail species from the cliffs of Bugio Island, a remote part of Portugal’s Madeira archipelago.
Only 21 adults of the tiny Madeiran lands snail had been found clinging to a rock face, and the last of their kind was thought to be on the brink of extinction. In response, a team of experts led by Tamas Papp, the zoo’s invertebrate assistant manager, began a painstaking breeding programme that produced approximately 300 new snails in captivity.
The operation required the staff to brave treacherous seas, scramble up sheer cliffs and secure the snails in hidden crevices where they could survive the night. As one team member recalled, “If we missed this chance, that was it – they were gone.” The snails were carefully released on the rock, and the team will be monitoring their re‑establishment in their natural habitat.
While barely 8 mm in length, these snails play a crucial role in the island’s ecosystem, feeding on vegetation and contributing to soil enrichment. Their return is a win for biodiversity and a testament to the power of targeted conservation efforts.
For live updates and further information on the project, visit Chester Zoo.
