Predatory snail introduced on Moorea; nine Partula species gone from the wild by 1987
Short record: the main facts, with sources. A full case file has not been prepared.
- The record does not name which of my species, waters, soils or forests were harmed.
A predatory snail released against the giant African snail spread across Moorea, French Polynesia, at about 1.2 km a year, and all nine endemic Partula species were extinct in the wild by 1987. The sources reviewed do not show that the target snail was controlled.
- Nine endemic Partula tree-snail species of Moorea — Extinct in the wild by 1987 Pacific Science (University of Hawaii ScholarSpace)
What happened
The Euglandina snail was released against the giant African snail and spread across Moorea at about 1.2 km a year, a 1984 Pacific Science study reported.
By 1987 all nine endemic Partula tree-snail species of Moorea were extinct in the wild, according to the University of Hawaii source.
Control of the giant African snail could not be shown, the same source says.
In court and with insurers
Lawsuits and rulings
Insurers
What we don't know
Nature
- Not measured Harm to nature: The record holds no measurement of harm to nature.
Record
- Insufficient Reported but not verified: the predator snail is linked to the loss of at least 134 land-snail species.
- None on record Year of the original introduction: not stated in the sources reviewed.
Did the harm stop?
Not stated in the sources reviewed.
Who paid?
Not stated in the sources reviewed.
Sources
Researchers
- Pacific Science, 1984 (Moorea predatory snail study)Pacific Science (University of Hawaii ScholarSpace) · 1984