Button-sized snail species saved from extinction

A tiny species of snail, which is about the same size as a button, has been saved from disappearing forever.

The greater Bermuda snail was thought to be extinct until a small group was discovered living in an alleyway in Hamilton, the capital city of Bermuda, 10 years ago.

Since then, conservationists from around the world - including ones from Chester Zoo in the UK - have been working together to save the species.

They bred more than 100,000 of the snails, which have now been released back into the wild.

The team of experts bred the snails in special pods at Chester Zoo, carefully changing the conditions to see what the snails liked best.

Once the number of snails had gone up, they were taken back to Bermuda and released into woodland habitats.

Dr Gerardo Garcia, who was part of the team, said: "It is very rare for a team to be able to announce that, having brought animals into human care and released them, their work is done."

He added: "The fact the snails are firmly established in six areas is massive."

Now that the snails are back in their natural habitats, the experts say they will help fix ecosystems that have been damaged.

Dr Kristiina Ovaska, who was also a part of the project, explained: "The snails function both as prey for larger animals and as consumers of live and decaying vegetation, so they are vital for turning over nutrients within their habitat."