Big comeback for tiny creatures: Critically Endangered snails returned to the wild on Norfolk Island
A species once thought extinct has begun its slow crawl back into the wild.
The first large-scale snail translocation and reintroduction ever attempted in Australia and its surrounding islands has been achieved with more than 300 Campbell’s Keeled Glass-Snails (Advena campbellii) successfully released back into Norfolk Island National Park.
The result of a five-year collaborative effort led by the Australian Museum, partnering with Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Parks Australia, Western Sydney University, the Norfolk Island Regional Council and the Department of Infrastructure and Services, the project restores a species once thought lost and strengthens the ecological integrity of Norfolk Island’s unique environment.
“This project is a testament to the power of collaboration,” said Dr Isabel Hyman, Research Scientist in Malacology at the Australian Museum. “There have been very few land snail introductions worldwide, and this is the first of its kind in Australia. We have interviewed snail translocation experts from around the world to develop a detailed plan and we’re proud to be part of a team working to restore a species once thought lost forever.”
Starting with just 46 snails, the collaboration established Australia’s first snail breeding program at Taronga Zoo Sydney in 2021. Despite early challenges, the program flourished, growing the population to over 800 snails. In early June, more than 600 snails were flown to Norfolk Island where they were settled quickly into their acclimatisation tanks.
On arrival, the snails weregradually introduced to their native diet and tagged for monitoring, with each snail marked with a tiny ID label just 2.7 mm long. In late July, 340 snails were released into a carefully prepared catchment within the national park and monitored by a PhD student and National Parks staff . The site was enhanced with irrigation and intensified predator control to give the snails the best chance of survival.
“This is a huge milestone for conservation in Australia,” said Monique Van Sluys, Manager of Conservation and Recovery Programs at Taronga. “Transporting and reintroducing these sensitive snails is no small feat, but thanks to the dedication of our partners and keepers, we’ve given this species a real chance at recovery.”
During recent monitoring, the team conducting surveys observed several newly born (or neonate) snails at the release site. This discovery is a strong indication that the snails are not only surviving but also reproducing in the wild, with hope these neonates will continue to develop into adults over the coming months, helping to establish a self-sustaining, wild-born population at the site.
“We tracked each snail every three days for the first two weeks after release to study their movement and survival. Most snails stay within a metre or two of the point of release while a few ventures as far as seven metres,” said Junn Kitt Foon, PhD student at Western Sydney University at the Australian Museum.
“The National Park protects the last known patches of this precious species’ habitat, and the team is proud to extend their knowledge and skills to supporting its recovery in the wild,” said Mel Wilson, Natural Resources Program Manager at Norfolk Island National Park.
The snails will be closely monitored by researchers and park staff, including experts from Western Sydney University and the Australian Museum. Their progress will inform future conservation strategies and help protect other threatened invertebrates across Australia.
“Based on the lessons learned this year, we will refine the strategy for the second reintroduction of the zoo-bred snails in 2026,” said Foon.
Norfolk Island, located approximately 1,700 km northeast of Sydney, is recognised as one of Australia’s hotspots for land snail diversity, with 62 endemic species recorded. The Campbell’s Keeled Glass-Snail, known for its delicate, keeled shell, plays a vital role in the island’s ecosystem, helping decompose organic matter, disperse fungal spores, and support biodiversity.
With land snails on islands disappearing faster than any other group of animals, this project is not only about saving a species from extinction, but also about preserving the health and resilience of an entire ecosystem. While the release marks a major step forward, the journey is far from over. The translocation team will continue to monitor the snails closely and manage the process to ensure the best possible outcomes.
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