We are helping to save some of the world’s rarest snails from extinction

Around 100 Partula snail species exist and they are all indigenous to just a few islands in the South Pacific. The snails have gone into precipitous decline in recent years as they have suffered massively from habitat loss and the introduction of a carnivorous snail.

The Florida rosy wolf predator snail was introduced to curb populations of giant African snails which destroy banana plantations. This method largely failed. However, the snail found the Partula snail very tasty. The consequence is that around 50 Partula species are now extinct, 14 are extinct in the wild, and 15 are critically endangered.

Good news is on the horizon though as captive breeding programmes are successfully increasing their numbers and saving numerous Partula species from extinction.

We are playing a vital role in helping to save three Partula species.  Our Partula hyalina collection has increased by 62% and our Partula varia collection has increased by 36% - a phenomenal success. Our third species, the Partula rosea, takes a little longer to mature but is also doing well. 

Our success is even more poignant as the Partula varia and Partula rosea species are extinct in the wild and we hold 50% of the world’s remaining captive populations.

You can see the Partula snails in the room opposite Buch Tucker Bites in the Encounter Village area of the Park.

The image shows a banana plantation

17th October 2008

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