São Tomé and Príncipe places 12 threatened giant snails in captivity
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Telanon
The Príncipe Foundation and Príncipe Natural Park have launched a captive-conservation experiment involving 12 endemic giant snails threatened with extinction in São Tomé and Príncipe. Monitoring is intended to shed light on their survival, diet and reproduction before possible reintroduction into the park, Telanon reports.
The Príncipe Foundation and Príncipe Natural Park have placed 12 giant land snails of the Archachatina bicarinata species in captivity as part of a conservation experiment launched this week, according to Telanon. The species, endemic to São Tomé and Príncipe and classified as threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, will be monitored in two enclosures set up in Barracão and Porto Real, on Príncipe Island.
Researchers want to observe the animals’ survival, diet, growth, possible diseases and reproduction, including the egg-laying period and the number of eggs per clutch. Príncipe Natural Park authorised their removal. The Príncipe Foundation and the park are conducting the experiment with support from HBD and other national and international partners.
If the trial succeeds, snails born in captivity could be reintroduced into the natural park to strengthen the population of the species. Conservation measures have already been carried out, but they have not increased its numbers, while knowledge about the animal remains limited, Telanon reports.
