Zoos Help to Save Snail Found in Only One Lake in Wales - BBC News
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In the World of Wildlife Conservation: A Race to Protect a Precious Species
By Steffan Messenger, Wales Environment Correspondent
Published 2 hours ago
A tiny snail found in only one lake in the UK has captured the attention of conservationists, earning it a reputation as precious as an Egyptian artefact. Several British zoos are collaborating to establish ark populations of the glutinous snail, one of Europe's rarest species, using creatures bred in a Ceredigion back garden.
"Beguiled by their cuteness," Ian Hughes, a conservationist, has made it his mission to safeguard this threatened mollusc, once widespread in UK waters. He shares, "There was a point where we'd got more snails in our garden than have ever been seen in the wild."
The Glutinous Snail: A Delicate Creature
Myxas glutinosa, known for its gooey mantle that covers its delicate, gold-flecked brown shell, is no bigger than a fingertip but boasts comically large antennae resembling "big floppy ears." These snails, which feed on algae and serve as indicators of healthy lakes and rivers, have been driven to extinction across England due to polluted water and habitat loss.
A Last Stand in Snowdonia
In the UK, their sole known refuge is Llyn Tegid, Wales' largest natural lake, located in Eryri National Park (also known as Snowdonia). Since 2014, under license from Natural Resources Wales, Ian Hughes has been collecting and studying these snails, designing and installing concrete shelters for them in the lake and cultivating a captive population in a greenhouse at his home.
"You do these things on a wing and a prayer," Hughes reflects, "when you're trying to save something that's down to a single site and you're trying to fathom what it needs and how to save it." His efforts were rewarded when, after four months, eggs were spotted in one of the tanks.
A Family Effort for Conservation
Rearing these snails has become a family affair. Ian's wife Kerry and their sons Jake, George, and Ben are all involved. Ben shares, "Every little thing has its place in the ecosystem... knowing that you're helping is more than enough to make it all worth it."
Navigating the Challenges
The Hughes family braves freezing cold lakes and other challenges, driven by their commitment to these tiny creatures. They believe each species plays a vital role in maintaining ecological balance, and removing even a single cog can lead to machine failure.