The lesser Bermuda land snail used to be widespread across the Bermuda archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean. But populations of the species have declined dramatically in the last 50 years, and it is now classified as critically endangered.
The lesser Bermuda land snail used to be widespread across the Bermuda archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean. But populations of the species have declined dramatically in the last 50 years, and it is now classified as critically endangered.
Chester Zoo
An effort to save the species is underway. In 2017, 60 of the remaining snails were sent to Chester Zoo in the UK, where the species was studied by scientists and ultimately bred.
An effort to save the species is underway. In 2017, 60 of the remaining snails were sent to Chester Zoo in the UK, where the species was studied by scientists and ultimately bred.
Chester Zoo
The species is tiny, with the shell typically measuring around one centimeter in diameter.
The species is tiny, with the shell typically measuring around one centimeter in diameter.
Chester Zoo
In May, 3,000 of the snails were packed into a wooden crate and flown to their native home, where they were released across three of Bermuda's satellite islands.
In May, 3,000 of the snails were packed into a wooden crate and flown to their native home, where they were released across three of Bermuda's satellite islands.
Chester Zoo
Gerardo Garcia, head of ectotherms (cold-blooded species) at Chester Zoo, has been leading the effort. He hopes that his team will be able to bring back the species from the brink of extinction.
Gerardo Garcia, head of ectotherms (cold-blooded species) at Chester Zoo, has been leading the effort. He hopes that his team will be able to bring back the species from the brink of extinction.
Sandy Thin/CNN
The project follows in the footsteps of a similar reintroduction effort for the species' larger cousin: the greater Bermuda land snail, whose shell measures up to 2.5 centimeters.
The project follows in the footsteps of a similar reintroduction effort for the species' larger cousin: the greater Bermuda land snail, whose shell measures up to 2.5 centimeters.
Chester Zoo
Since the project began in 2014, more than 100,000 greater Bermuda land snails have been reintroduced to the archipelago -- in what could be one of the largest examples in history of a single species reintroduction. The scientists hope that in areas where the greater land snail is thriving, the lesser will do too.
Since the project began in 2014, more than 100,000 greater Bermuda land snails have been reintroduced to the archipelago -- in what could be one of the largest examples in history of a single species reintroduction. The scientists hope that in areas where the greater land snail is thriving, the lesser will do too.
Sandy Thin/CNN
Garcia specializes in small species, but it's not just snails he works with. Pictured is the critically endangered Bermuda skink, also known as a rock lizard, which has been bred in Chester Zoo since 2016, with some individuals released into the wild.
Garcia specializes in small species, but it's not just snails he works with. Pictured is the critically endangered Bermuda skink, also known as a rock lizard, which has been bred in Chester Zoo since 2016, with some individuals released into the wild.
Sandy Thin/CNN
The team is also caring for the endangered <a href="https://www.chesterzoo.org/news/frogs-on-the-edge-of-extinction-go-on-display-at-chester-zoo/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Lake Titicaca frog</a>, which is threatened by pollution, habitat loss and hunting in its native habitat on the border of Bolivia and Peru.
The team is also caring for the endangered Lake Titicaca frog, which is threatened by pollution, habitat loss and hunting in its native habitat on the border of Bolivia and Peru.
Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo was also the first to breed the rare Montseny brook newt, which is endemic to Catalonia, Spain. Conservation work is also ongoing to protect the species' habitat and Garcia hopes they will be able to reintroduce the newt to the area soon.
Chester Zoo was also the first to breed the rare Montseny brook newt, which is endemic to Catalonia, Spain. Conservation work is also ongoing to protect the species' habitat and Garcia hopes they will be able to reintroduce the newt to the area soon.
Chester Zoo