An important milestone for the conservation of biodiversity was achieved in French Polynesiawhere for the first time in 40 years, the species of snail Partula tohiveana was found at reproduce in nature. This success marks a fundamental step for the protection of these snails, which were considered extinct in the wild due to a number of factors, including the introduction of invasive species.
Partula tohiveana, a tropical snail species from Polynesia, had nearly disappeared after the roseate wolf snail (Euglandina rosea) was introduced in previous decades to combat other snail species. Unfortunately, in fact, the pink wolf snail turned out to be a lethal predator for native speciesdrastically reducing the Partula population.
In the 1980s and 1990s, the last specimens of some Partula species were rescued and taken into captivitygiving rise to an international conservation program. The return of these molluscs to the wild was made possible thanks to a global effort involving zoos around the world, including those in London, Edinburgh and Schwerin, and the Directorate of the Environment of French Polynesia.
It plays a crucial role in the health of tropical forests
For about ten years, these snails have been reintroduced into the natural environment of the islands of Moorea, Tahiti and Huahine, where over 30,000 specimens of various species were released. The recent discovery of an adult, unmarked Partula tohiveana is evidence that these animals are successfully reproducing in the habitat they have long lost.
The result is particularly significant not only for the recovery of the species, but also for the restoration of the ecosystem of the islands. Partula snails actually play a role crucial role in the health of tropical forestsfeeding on decaying plant tissues and fungi, thus contributing to the ecological balance. The reintroduction of snails is also helping combat the impact of invasive species which threaten local biodiversity.
This conservation project represents a positive example of global collaboration and how targeted efforts can make a difference in saving threatened species. Now, thanks to their reproduction in nature, Partula tohiveana could be removed from the list of extinct species in the wild, moving to “critically endangered,” a milestone that celebrates four decades of commitment and hope. There is something to rejoice about, of course, but there will still be a lot to do before this species is no longer threatened.
