Abstract The rapid decline of wild populations has resulted in complete extinction of many species. In some cases, this outcome has been avoided through the establishment of ex situ conservation breeding populations. These have the aim of safeguarding the survival of the species and ultimately their reintroduction to the wild. In the case of Partula tree snails, conservation work spanning 4 decades has included ex situ breeding and reintroduction attempts. Most Partula tree snails of French Polynesia are categorized as Extinct on the IUCN Red List as a result of the introduction of invasive predators. Ten species survive only in ex situ conservation breeding centres and reintroduction attempts have been underway since 2015. In 2024, a wild population of Partula tohiveana was located, formed as a result of reintroductions to Moorea Island over the previous decade. This is the first Extinct in the Wild invertebrate species to have been re-established through coordinated, interdisciplinary ex situ and in situ conservation actions.
Gerlach et al. (Mon,) studied this question.