DZC joins rescue mission for rare snail

Dudley Zoo and Castle has joined a rescue mission to ensure the survival of a critically endangered wetland snail.

The tiny glutinous snail became extinct in England over 30 years ago and can only be found at a lake in Wales, with its severe decline due to habitat destruction and pollution.

DZC has now joined forces with Conservationist and former Dudley Zoo and Castle employee, Ian Hughes, who a decade ago began spearheading an action plan to save the threatened species.

And we’re proud to announce we’ve become the second BIAZA UK zoo to receive a number of the 1.5cm molluscs, as we work to establish a breeding programme which we hope will ultimately allow the reintroduction of the species back into the wild.

DZC’s Conservation and Development Co-ordinator, Jack Williams, said: “Our zoo-housed populations play a vital role in the conservation of this species. They allow us to create an insurance population – which provides us with a safety net in case this species disappears entirely from the wild.

“Over the course of the next 12 months, we will aim to increase our population here at the zoo before beginning work on a semi-natural pond for the species on site.” 

And within weeks of arriving at DZC we’re delighted to spot we already have baby snails in the tanks!

You can find the new arrivals in the farm barn, alongside further information about the species. To discover more about Ian’s conservation work, click HERE.