Askham Bryan College in York has launched a project to prevent the extinction of the critically endangered glutinous snail (Myxas glutinosa). The species has almost vanished from Britain, with its only remaining natural habitat being Lake Bala in Wales.
A team from the college has transported a number of the 1.5cm gastropods to a campus wildlife area in an attempt to breed them. If successful, the college plans to create a dedicated glutinous snail reserve open to the public.
Lauren Lane, conservation manager at Askham Bryan Wildlife Park, emphasised the urgency of the effort: 'It is imperative that we all work together to ensure there is a future for all species that live in freshwater habitats.' She noted that 67 species of freshwater snail have gone extinct, with a further 450 species threatened.
In March, staff travelled to Snowdonia National Park, the home of the glutinous snail, to collect specimens. Conservationist Ian Hughes, who has spent a decade working with the species in Wales, welcomed the collaboration. 'The snails have been extinct in England for 30 years,' he said. 'They are going to go into a very well cared for semi-natural pond, and we're very excited about it.'
The snails will be viewable by the public once they have settled and begun breeding successfully.
