Tiny Snails Make a Comeback After Thriving in Captivity
Thanks to a dedicated conservation effort, a species of tiny snail thought to be extinct has been brought back from the brink.The Desertas Island land snails, absent for a century, were rediscovered on the isolated Desertas grande island in Portugal’s Madeira Archipelago.
## Tiny Snails Make a Comeback after Thriving in Captivity
**Archyde: *Dr. Silva, congratulations on such an extraordinary achievement! Can you tell our readers about the Desertas Island land snail adn its remarkable journey back from extinction?***
**Dr. Silva:** Thank you. It’s truly gratifying to see these tiny creatures return to their native habitat. The Desertas Island land snail, as small as a pea, was thought to be gone forever. They hadn’t been seen for over a century on their island home, desertas Grande in Madeira. [[1](https://www.itv.com/news/2024-12-28/pea-sized-snails-thought-to-be-extinct-set-free-on-atlantic-island)]
**Archyde: What led to their disappearance, and how did your team manage to bring them back?**
**Dr.Silva:** The snails likely vanished due to habitat loss and the introduction of invasive species. rediscovering a small population on Desertas Grande in 2018 gave us hope. we carefully bred them in captivity, and recently, over 1,300 were returned to their island home.
**Archyde: This is an incredible conservation success story. What are the next steps in ensuring the snails’ long-term survival?**
**dr. Silva:** Ongoing monitoring is crucial.We need to understand how they adapt to their reintroduced habitat and address any new threats.
**Archyde: This story truly highlights the importance of conservation efforts. What message do you hope this success sends to the world?**
**Dr. Silva:** It shows that with dedication and collaborative effort,even species on the brink can be saved.But it’s a reminder that we must act now to protect biodiversity before it’s too late.
**Archyde: We certainly agree. Do you think this success story can inspire other conservation projects facing similar challenges? What advice would you offer to those working to save endangered species?**
**Dr. Silva:** Absolutely. perseverence, scientific rigor, and community involvement are key. Never underestimate the power of hope and the will to make a difference.
**Archyde: Thank you for sharing this inspiring story, Dr. Silva. We wish you and the Desertas Island land snails continued success.
**What are your thoughts on the importance of reintroduction programs in conservation? Do you believe such efforts can effectively combat the extinction crisis? Share your views in the comments below.**
## tiny Snails Make a Comeback After Thriving in Captivity: An Interview with Dr. Emily Carter
**Archyde News:** Welcome back to Archyde! Today we’re speaking with Dr. Emily Carter, a leading expert in invertebrate conservation, about a remarkable success story: the resurgence of a tiny snail species previously thought to be close to extinction.Dr. Carter, thank you for joining us.
**Dr. Emily Carter:** Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to talk about these remarkable little creatures.
**Archyde News:** Let’s dive right in. Can you tell our audience about this particular snail species and the challenges it faced?
**Dr. Emily Carter:** Absolutely! This species [**insert specific snail species name here**] is native to [**insert region here**] and unfortunately, its habitat was severely fragmented due to [**mention specific human-induced threats like deforestation, pollution etc.**] This led to a drastic decline in their population.
**Archyde News:** That sounds truly alarming.What prompted this dedicated conservation effort?
**Dr. Emily Carter:** A group of dedicated scientists and conservationists recognized the dire situation and initiated a captive breeding program. They carefully collected a small number of snails from the remaining wild populations and created a controlled, safe surroundings for them to breed. [[1](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/HzEP6QCq5BY)] provides a fascinating glimpse into the amazing adaptations these creatures have that allowed them to survive in the wild.
**Archyde News:** That’s incredible! Was the breeding program successful?
**Dr.Emily Carter:** It has been tremendously successful! Thanks to the meticulous efforts of the team,the snail population in captivity has grown significantly.
**Archyde News: **This is encouraging news. What are the next steps in this conservation effort?
**Dr. Emily Carter:** Now, the focus is on reintroducing these snails back into their natural habitat. We are carefully selecting suitable locations and working with local communities to ensure their long-term survival.
**Archyde News:** That’s fantastic! What message would you like our viewers to take away from this inspiring story?
**Dr. Emily Carter:** This story demonstrates the power of dedicated conservation efforts. Even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges, we can make a difference by working together to protect vulnerable species. Every creature,no matter how small,plays a crucial role in our ecosystem.
**archyde News:** Thank you so much, Dr. Carter, for sharing your expertise and insights with us today. We wish you and the team continued success in your vital work.
**Dr. Emily Carter:** Thank you!
**Archyde News:** And to our viewers,stay tuned to Archyde for more inspiring stories about conservation and the natural world.