Conservationists are working to save the Myxas glutinosa, a rare snail now found in only one UK lake, by establishing captive populations in zoos.
Key facts
- •The glutinous snail, Myxas glutinosa, is an indicator species for healthy water environments.
- •Pollution and habitat loss are cited as the primary causes for the snail's disappearance across England.
- •Ian Hughes began collecting and studying the snails under a licence from Natural Resources Wales in 2014.
- •The current conservation effort is part of a £60m UK government-backed scheme to protect rare species.
- •Wingham Wildlife Park recently received 24 snails from the Hughes family to begin a breeding program.
Conservationists are working to save the glutinous snail, one of Europe's rarest species, which is now found in the UK only in Llyn Tegid in Eryri National Park. The effort involves creating "ark populations" in zoos to prevent extinction. The project, supported by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums, aims to eventually restore the snails to the wild as part of a government-backed conservation scheme.
By the numbers
Breeding and Research Efforts
Conservationist Ian Hughes, who has studied the snails since 2014, successfully bred the species in a greenhouse at his home in Llanarth after designing concrete shelters for them in Llyn Tegid. His work led to the first known observation of the snail's eggs. The Hughes family is now collaborating with BIAZA to distribute the snails to wildlife parks, including Wingham Wildlife Park, Askham Bryan Wildlife Park, Longleat, Dudley Zoo, and Chester Zoo.
Future Reintroduction Plans
The Freshwater Habitats Trust is currently identifying suitable water bodies for the potential future release of the snails. Experts are researching the species' ecology, husbandry, and genetics to build a foundation for reintroduction. BIAZA officials hope to achieve this goal within three years, noting that spreading the population across multiple locations reduces the risk of extinction posed by having the entire species in a single site.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC Science & Environment.
