Whats happening
Zoo to breed threatened flax snails
23 December 2009
An important research project has begun at Auckland Zoo with the arrival of 15 threatened flax snails from Bream Head Scenic Reserve's Peach Cove in Northland.
Along with gaining valuable husbandry knowledge, the zoo hopes to breed and release these attractive hermaphrodite invertebrates, which have a distinctive spiral shaped shell, can grow up to 8.5cm in size, and live for over 20 years.
This is the first time an attempt has been made to breed flax snails at a zoo facility, and the zoo is working closely with the Department of Conservation (DOC) and in collaboration with Ngatiwai, Ngati Whatua o Orakei, Friends of Matakohe Island and Ngati Rehua.
If breeding is successful the adults and their offspring will be
released onto Matakohe (Limestone) Island in Whangarei Harbour
where this species is not present.
Adding to the challenge for the zoo is the fact that these snails
are slow to develop, and have a relatively low reproductive
rate.
Found only in New Zealand, the flax snail (Placostylus hongii) was once widespread throughout many parts of Northland, but predators such as rats, mice and possums have severely restricted its distribution to isolated patches of Eastern Northland.
DOC says the skills and methodology learnt through this programme will be transferable to other species within the Placostylus genus, which range from 'Nationally Critical' to 'Nationally Endangered.
The zoo's NZ Fauna curator Ian Fraser says while it's not practical to have these snails on public display, once the zoo's New Zealand development, Te Wao Nui, opens in 2011, visitors can look forward to viewing some impressive New Zealand native snails within its night forest exhibit.