In a groundbreaking win for conservation, the Campbell’s Keeled Glass-Snail (Advena campbellii) is set to make a historic return to its native habitat on Norfolk Island. This initiative marks the first-ever large-scale reintroduction of snails in Australia and surrounding islands, a significant milestone in the fight against extinction one for one of the thousand threatened invertebrates found in Australia.

Five years ago, a small population of this species, previously thought to be extinct, was rediscovered in Norfolk Island National Park. This discovery sparked a collaborative effort between the Australian Museum, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Parks Australia, and the Norfolk Island Regional Council to establish a zoo-based breeding program at Taronga Zoo Sydney. Starting with just 46 founding snails, the program has successfully bred approximately 750-800 snails, providing a robust foundation for reintroduction.

However, the project hasn’t been without its challenges. All aspects of caring for the snails were unknown with early breeding attempts unsuccessful. After many refinements in the husbandry over time. By mid-2024, the zoo-bred population had grown to 300 snails, with more than 20 babies born in a single week. 

The current wild population of the snail is confined to a single catchment area in the Norfolk Island National Park, making it vulnerable to extinction. To enhance the species' chances of survival, zoo-bred snails will be introduced into three additional sites within the National Park. This strategic move aims to increase the species' robustness and long-term viability in the wild, with their natural threats—including introduced species such as rats, feral chickens, and habitat loss—being actively managed by the Norfolk Island National Park team. Once the snails arrive on Norfolk Island, they will spend five weeks in an acclimatisation facility where they will slowly adapt to a new more localised diet. They will then be released into the three sites where monitoring and surveys will be undertaken by staff at the Norfolk Island National Park, Western Sydney University, tThe Australian Museum, and Taronga.

“Transporting and reintroducing these sensitive snails is no small feat,” said Monique Van Sluys, Taronga’s Manager of Conservation and Recovery Programs. “They’re highly susceptible to stress from changes in diet, handling, and environmental conditions. To help mitigate these challenges, the snails will travel in specialised transport tanks and spend six weeks acclimatising at a purpose-built facility on Norfolk Island before being released into the wild”. 

Our specialised Taronga keepers will also train Norfolk Island Parks staff in caring for the species and developing the husbandry skills needed to support their survival. This careful, collaborative approach gives the snails the best possible chance to thrive.”

“This project is a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of conservation,” said Dr. Isabel Hyman, Research Scientist, Malacology, at the Australian Museum. “While the reintroduction carries risks, it also offers a unique opportunity to restore a species that was once thought lost forever. We are committed to doing everything we can to ensure the success of this endeavour.” 

“Such a collaborative team also enables us to adaptively manage and respond to issues as they arise. The snails will be closely monitored as they are reintroduced into their native habitats. Our team will respond to population trends with appropriate measures like irrigation and enhanced predator controls,.” said Junn Kitt Foon, PhD candidate at Western Sydney University and Research Associate, Malacology, at the Australian Museum with an industry placement at Norfolk Island National Park. 

“Our team [Norfolk Island National Park staff] act as the custodians of this little slice of the island on behalf of the Norfolk Islanders and broader Norfolk Island community, and we take that duty and that honour very seriously. We are always striving to protect and restore the natural environment for current and future generations, and this amazingly collaborative project presents us with a unique opportunity to protect a beautiful snail that is an integral part of a healthy forest.” said Allie Andersen, acting Natural Resource Manager at Norfolk Island National Park.

The Campbell’s keeled glass-snail is a small land snail endemic to Norfolk Island. Known for its delicate, keeled shell, this species plays a vital role in the island’s ecosystem. The reintroduction project not only aims to save this species from extinction but also to restore the ecological balance of Norfolk Island. 

The Norfolk Island snail project is a shining example of what can be achieved through dedicated, cross-sector collaboration. This initiative brings together the expertise and resources of Western Sydney University, the Australian Museum, Parks Australia (Norfolk Island National Park), Taronga Conservation Society Australia, the Norfolk Island Regional Council, Senversa Pty Ltd, and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.