Slow but Steady: The Comeback of Hawai‘i’s Native Snails By HAILEY ZALOPANY From Abundance to Endangerment Hawai‘i is often called the extinction capital of the world, and native snails are among its most vulnerable species. Once abundant, many Hawaiian snail populations began to decline when rats were introduced to the islands via early Polynesian canoes. Later, during the plantation era, the practice of collecting shells for lei-making further decimated their numbers. Today, these unique creatures face a new wave of threats, including invasive predators such as the rosy wolfsnail and chameleons, as well as continued rat predation. With no natural defenses against these introduced species, Hawai‘i’s When the native Hawaiian snail Amastra intermedia was first discovered in the wild, only 10 individuals were known to exist. Today, thanks to dedicated conservation efforts, this tiny species is making a remarkable comeback. Over the past decade, more than a hundred snails have been released. Interestingly, Amastra intermedia was once grouped under Amastra cylindrica, until recent genetic research revealed that what was thought to be one species is actually three distinct ones. Because these snails look so similar, the difference wasn’t recognized until testing clarified their identities. The population being raised at the Honolulu Zoo is now correctly identified as Amastra intermedia. endemic snails have been pushed to the brink, making conservation efforts more urgent than ever. A Small Species With a Big Role Native to Hawai‘i and found nowhere else on Earth, Amastra intermedia is a ground-dwelling snail that plays an important role in the ecosystem. As lead zookeeper on this program, Rebecca Choquette calls them “the unsung heroes of the forest”. These “forest janitors” break down fallen leaves and plant material, helping to recycle nutrients back into the soil. But their survival has been threatened by habitat loss and invasive predators, pushing them (and hundreds of other snail species) to the brink of extinction. Images provided by the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Snail Extinction Prevention Program (SEPP). Special thanks to the Honolulu Zoo for partnering with us to share this story. 134 HAWAII PARENT September/October 2025
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