Rare glutinous snails started laying eggs during a six-hour journey from Wales to Wingham Wildlife Park near Canterbury. The zoo has joined a nationwide effort to save the species, which is now found in just one UK lake.
The snails, which are no bigger than a fingertip, were once widespread across UK waterways. Their population is thought to have been reduced by habitat disruption and environmental changes, leaving them only in Llyn Tegid, a lake in Eryri National Park.
Samantha Eden, assistant curator at Wingham Wildlife Park, brought 24 snails from Wales in early July. She reported that by the time she arrived back at the park, approximately 12 egg pods were present in the carry containers. The zoo began with six adult snails in one pond and has since moved 130 baby snails to start a new colony.
Hannah Ellins, head of reptiles and invertebrates, stated that the zoo will continue breeding the snails with the aim of eventually releasing them into the wild to help boost wild populations.
Wingham Wildlife Park is collaborating with Askham Bryan Wildlife Park, Longleat, Dudley Zoo, Chester Zoo, and the Freshwater Habitats Trust. This group is searching for suitable water bodies for the snails' eventual release.