Full Breakdown
Greater Bermuda Land Snail Saved from Extinction
2/9/2026, 11:41:12 AM
Core Event: Conservation Success of the Greater Bermuda Land Snail
The greater Bermuda land snail, once thought to be extinct, has been successfully brought back from the brink of extinction, according to Chester Zoo. This tiny snail, unique to Bermuda and tracing its lineage back over a million years, had not been observed for years until a cluster of shells was discovered in an alleyway in Hamilton in 2014. Following this discovery, some snails were transported to Chester Zoo, where conservation efforts focused on breeding and population recovery culminated in the release of thousands back into the wild in 2019.
Key Figures & Groups
Chester Zoo, along with London Zoo and local Bermudian experts, played a pivotal role in the conservation of the greater Bermuda land snail. Dr. Gerardo Garcia, the animal and plant director at Chester Zoo, emphasized the significance of the successful establishment of six colonies of re-wilded snails in Bermuda. Keeper Katie Kelton noted that at one point, the zoo housed around 60,000 snails, highlighting the scale of the breeding program.
Background & Context: Threats to the Species
The greater Bermuda land snail faced numerous threats, including habitat loss, pesticide use, and predation by the cannibalistic "wolf snail." The conservation efforts were described by Dr. Garcia as a "war game," with the population tracked meticulously across Bermuda. While the immediate crisis has been addressed, long-term recovery will depend on ongoing nature regeneration projects led by the Bermudian government.
Why It Matters / Impact
The successful recovery of the greater Bermuda land snail is being hailed as a significant achievement in conservation. Experts believe that the methodologies developed during this project could inform future efforts to save other endangered species. Iri Gill, a conservation expert, stated that the experience gained from this project should guide future initiatives, particularly for the lesser Bermuda land snail, which is even smaller and may now be extinct in the wild.
Official Statements & Responses
Chester Zoo announced, "We can officially say the species is back from the brink," underscoring the success of their conservation efforts. The zoo's statement also acknowledged the collaborative efforts with other organizations and the Bermudian government, emphasizing the importance of continued support for nature regeneration.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The fact that the snails are firmly established in six areas is massive,” — Dr. Gerardo Garcia, Chester Zoo
- “It's amazing that they had actually been able to save this species,” — Katie Kelton, Chester Zoo
- “These snails are tiny, but this has been one of the biggest success stories in conservation.” — Iri Gill, Conservation Expert
What's Next: Future Conservation Efforts
Chester Zoo is now focusing on the lesser Bermuda land snail, which presents additional challenges for breeding and conservation. The lessons learned from the greater Bermuda land snail project will be applied to this new initiative, as experts consider factors such as seasonality and environmental complexity in their conservation strategies.
