Zoos help to save snail found in only one lake in Wales

At the heart of this urgent conservation drive is Ian Hughes, whose profound connection to these tiny, gooey inhabitants of freshwater has blossomed into a "life-defining" mission. He confesses to being "beguiled by their cuteness," a sentiment that has fueled years of meticulous research and hands-on intervention. Hughes’s remarkable success in cultivating these snails led to an astonishing revelation: "There was a point where we’d got more snails in our garden than have ever been seen in the wild." This extraordinary achievement underscores the critical need for captive breeding programmes when a species faces such dire threats in its natural habitat.

The glutinous snail, Myxas glutinosa, derives its descriptive name from the distinctive, translucent, and somewhat gooey mantle that envelops its incredibly delicate, gold-flecked brown shell. Despite its unassuming size, rarely exceeding the tip of a human finger, it possesses curiously prominent antennae, which Hughes endearingly describes as "big floppy ears." These fascinating invertebrates play a crucial ecological role, primarily feeding on algae and serving as a key bio-indicator of healthy, unpolluted aquatic ecosystems. Their historical presence across the UK’s waterways speaks to a healthier past, but their rapid decline reflects the severe environmental pressures of modern times.

Once widespread throughout the rivers and lakes of the UK, the glutinous snail has been systematically driven to local extinction across England, with its last known wild refuge in the UK being a single Welsh lake. The primary culprits behind this devastating disappearance are rampant water pollution and extensive habitat loss. Industrial and agricultural runoff, alongside the physical degradation of freshwater environments, have rendered countless historical sites uninhabitable for this sensitive species. Hughes’s comparison of these snails to "something to preserve and cherish like Egyptian artefacts" powerfully conveys the irreplaceable value of even the smallest components of our biodiversity. He views their existence not merely as a biological fact but as a cultural legacy, a testament to the health of our natural world that must be protected for future generations.

The last bastion for Myxas glutinosa in the UK is Llyn Tegid, Wales’ largest natural lake, nestled within the breathtaking landscapes of Eryri National Park, also known as Snowdonia. Since 2014, operating under a strict licence from Natural Resources Wales, Ian Hughes has tirelessly undertaken the arduous task of wading into the lake’s often frigid waters to collect and meticulously study the snails. His innovative approach extends to the design and installation of small, bespoke concrete shelters directly within the lake, providing crucial refuges for the beleaguered population. Simultaneously, he established his groundbreaking captive breeding population within a greenhouse at his home in Llanarth, Ceredigion.

The initial phase of this captive breeding effort was fraught with uncertainty. Hughes recalls the anxiety, wondering "will they survive an hour, will they survive a day?" The stakes were incredibly high, with the very survival of the species in the UK potentially resting on his shoulders. Then, after four months of painstaking observation and care, a monumental breakthrough occurred: eggs were spotted within the tanks. "Nobody had knowingly seen their eggs before we made that breakthrough," he explains, highlighting the scientific significance of this discovery. This moment was a profound affirmation of his dedication, a testament to the power of persistence in conservation. "You do these things on a wing and a prayer 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," he reflects. "So when something actually works – it’s one of those life-defining moments." This success not only provided a glimmer of hope but also invaluable insights into the reproductive biology and husbandry requirements of this enigmatic species.

The conservation of the glutinous snail has transcended Ian’s individual efforts, evolving into a true family affair. His wife, Kerry, and their sons, Jake, George, and Ben, are all deeply invested in the cause. Their collective commitment extends beyond the snails, encompassing the rearing of other critically endangered invertebrates, including scarlet malachite beetles, ladybird spiders, and tadpole shrimp. Ben, at 27, articulates the family’s shared ethos: "You’ve got to have a certain mindset to walk out into a freezing cold lake in the middle of January. But knowing that you’re helping is more than enough to make it all worth it." He eloquently summarises the ecological principle underpinning their work: "Every little thing has its place in the ecosystem and if you take a tiny little cog out of any machine it’s going to stop working." This holistic understanding reinforces the importance of preserving every species, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant.

Building upon the Hughes family’s pioneering work, a significant partnership has been forged with the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA). This collaboration marks a crucial step in relocating some of the captive-bred snails to wildlife parks and zoos across England, establishing multiple "ark populations" to safeguard against any single catastrophic event. This dispersal strategy is envisioned as the foundational phase towards the eventual reintroduction of Myxas glutinosa into suitable wild locations over the coming years, forming a key component of a broader £60m UK government-backed scheme dedicated to protecting rare species.

Samantha Eden, assistant curator at Wingham Wildlife Park in Kent, made the six-hour journey to the Hughes’s home to collect 24 glutinous snails, expressing her enthusiasm for the project. "It’s such a hugely important conservation project and such a wonderful story," she stated. Wingham Wildlife Park has meticulously prepared a new facility specifically for these delicate creatures, comprising "three beautiful ponds where we’re going to be breeding them, learning about them and understanding a little bit more about their environmental needs." This dedicated setup exemplifies the commitment of participating institutions to provide optimal conditions for the snails’ survival and proliferation.

Beyond Wingham, other prominent institutions are actively participating in this nationwide effort. Askham Bryan Wildlife Park in York, Longleat in Wiltshire, alongside Dudley and Chester zoos, are all playing their part in housing and caring for these precious snails. Concurrently, the Freshwater Habitats Trust is undertaking critical research to identify and assess suitable water bodies across the UK where the snails could eventually be reintroduced. This comprehensive approach ensures that not only are the snails bred successfully, but their future habitats are also prepared and protected.

Nicky Needham, head of species management and conservation at BIAZA, outlines the multifaceted nature of the zoo’s involvement. "We’re doing a lot of research on the snails’ ecology, their husbandry and their genetics," she explains. This scientific rigour is essential for understanding the specific environmental parameters required for the snails’ survival and for maintaining genetic diversity within the captive populations. "If we can build up a really strong picture then we’re in a good position to reintroduce some of them [to the wild]," Needham added, optimistically projecting a timeline. "With fingers and toes crossed I’d like to think that we could achieve that within three years’ time." This ambitious goal underscores the urgency and collective determination driving the project.

Simon Jones, assistant warden at Eryri National Park, voiced the park’s immense pride in being the last known sanctuary for this "unique species." He acknowledges the vital role of the broader conservation effort, stating, "I think it’s an amazing project and we’ll support it as much as we can." Jones also highlighted the pressing challenges posed by global warming, noting that climate change subjects these sensitive species to "an increased threat." He firmly believes that with the collective assistance of the zoos, "there’s more of a chance of keeping the population alive," providing a crucial buffer against the unpredictable impacts of environmental shifts.

For Ian Hughes, witnessing this fresh momentum behind saving the glutinous snail brings immense satisfaction. He acknowledges the inherent risks of a single-site population, stating, "Having all your eggs in one basket is always a dangerous move so having more experts looking after it is really the right way to go." His passion remains undimmed, and his conviction unwavering. "For me they’re an absolute treasure – like an Egyptian artefact… as valuable as that," he reiterates, underscoring the intrinsic worth of biodiversity. He sees the preservation of Myxas glutinosa not just as a scientific endeavour but as a moral imperative: "preserving them is a duty to our children and grandchildren." This collaborative effort between dedicated individuals, conservation organisations, and zoos offers a beacon of hope for one of Europe’s rarest species, demonstrating that even the smallest creatures can galvanise significant conservation action.