Searching for Extinct Species on a Deserted Island | EP.1

Four species of snail thought to be extinct have been found on a small Atlantic island. After more than 100 years without a confirmed observation, the species were rediscovered on Deserta Grande by local conservationists. For this project we supported an expedition to help setup breeding programs and help save these snails from extinction.
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⏱️TIMESTAMPS⏱️
0:00 Island Ecology
1:19 The Madeira Archipelago
2:36 Our Story
3:25 The Expedition
#desertedisland #biodiversity #expedition

[@ListenAndWhisper]

THANKYOU for caring about a creature that isn’t “useful”. It bothers me so many people are indifferent about a species extinction unless it impacts them.

[@MossyEarth]

So glad it resonates. Makes me very happy to find more people who think biodiversity is intrinsically valuable. Thanks for taking the time to leave the comment! Tiago

[@lindamclean8809]

I agree 100%........... keep on keeping on guys. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@aidanwhite5631]

@@MossyEarth i dont understand how people dont think it is. Have we not learned that one species dying sets off a domino chain of ecological catastrophies

[@Rotebuehl1]

Useful? There are no "useful" species! Either they are imbedded in an ecosystem, or they're not "Usefull" to whom?

[@nathalie9905]

''They're just snails. They are unique and irreplaceable. If we lose them, we will be losing something beautiful forever. And despite it not bringing us any direct value, we would be sad about that loss'' I absolutely love that sentence!

[@Rythmdoc]

I love that sentence too!

[@ThePlayfarer]

You guys are living the conservation dream! Go save those snails! 🐌🐌🐌🐌

[@MossyEarth]

*Thanks Tom!* It is a privilege to be able to work on trying to save a species. Especially these four underfunded snails! I must say that unfortunately I, the co-founder and video editor of Mossy Earth, have never set foot on the island... as its been a conservation biologist only affair. Hopefully soon! - Cheers, Duarte

[@DustWolphy]

Song reference? music.kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZmUn4x3nd6foas&feature=share

[@ifckthemusic6283]

Portuguese viewer here, I had absolutely no idea there were all these endemic species in the desertas (besides the monk seal)!! I find it unbelievable how little they us teach about them. Anyways, incredibly interesting to see such fascinating and important work being done here (and a broad ofc)! keep it up!

[@TheTdZt]

That’s amazing. I am glad you find the project interesting. For me the more I learn the more I appreciate these little and often overlooked parts of nature. It’s great to feel we are not alone in thinking so :)! Cheers, Tiago

[@adriennefloreen]

I hope you also got a sample of every single plant and some of the dirt and rocks around it and planted it in a flower pot back home. I am sure the snails are not the only rare species on an island like that. And many things that would have gone extinct in nature are plentiful around the world because humans liked to grow them, because they were edible, medicinal, or just pretty.

[@MossyEarth]

That's true, live plant collections are so important! There is actually a very endangered plant named after Isamberto (featured in the video) and there are conservation efforts underway to help it. Cheers, Tiago

[@bulbasaurousrex6009]

Beautiful creatures, hope the breeding program will be a massive success! Would hate to see those marvelous shells gone for good

[@MossyEarth]

Agreed! As we said, they are miniature Mona Lisas :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@jkfoon4556]

Thank you for this wonderful video series! As a malacologist working on land snail research and conservation projects on the other side of the world, it's inspirational to know that work is being done to save the famously diverse land snails of Madeira too. And it's doubly wonderful to know that the videos are well received by many! Well done and keep up the good conservation and science communication work!

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you! That really means a lot to us :) Some new videos on the next expeditions should be coming soon. - Cheers, Duarte

[@jkfoon4556]

@@MossyEarth That's exciting! Looking forward to your new videos!

[@raphlvlogs271]

those flattened sideways snails are perfectly adapted to the lack of space.

[@jameslascelle9453]

You never know if these snail species could hold knowledge such as curing disease or curing aging. Or helping us to come up with a design for a product in the future by studying how the species functions. Every single species on this planet is a gift that we can’t waste! ❤

[@schmiddy1473]

protection of island species is so important, love this

[@GreatNZ1]

I have a question out of ignorance, isn't it possible to simply remove the goats from the island? There are not so many of them, the island is fairly small, and they are easy to spot. wouldn't removing them (and putting them back in the mainland) help against species extinction?

[@MossyEarth]

Hi that's a good question. Removing the goats is a lot harder than you may think. They are excellent climbers and they can run down slopes so steep and loose we would probably need ropes to access. It can be done and hopefully the issue will be addressed but it's a project of a different scale. Thank you for your interest! Cheers, Tiago

[@zekejeager2451]

@@MossyEarth shoot them and eat them. Feed the hood bro

[@kurtchester7073]

@@MossyEarth tranquilizing them from a chopper might make it easier if it is possible.

[@1922BluePhoenix]

send some Mexicans out there we love Birria

[@Jules-iq6ks]

Can't wait to see the next videos!

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you Jules! Excited about this series and this project :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@solarpunkalana]

Great video as usual! I especially like the paper background with the maps/diagrams!

[@MossyEarth]

Glad you like them! We thought they would be a nice way to display information :)

[@cnkilts]

Just found this channel. Exciting to see your work.

[@patrickmay7038]

Absolutely fascinating guys!

[@bataafeub2472]

Just want to say thankyou.

[@johnkeviljr9625]

Were there trees on the island back in the day? Great work guys!

[@EcclesiastesLiker-py5ts]

Thank you for your work, God bless your efforts to live lightly upon his world!

[@DanielF3024]

Desconhecia por completo. Excelente pessoal

[@BeBraveToAct]

Great video guys! Now I have to be more careful when walking in nature :)

[@johnkeviljr9625]

Were you able to eliminate the invasive rats and goats etc?

[@AdventuresofAwesomeJoe]

Hold up. Before removing the snails, why weren't the goats that killed the snail removed first??

[@Nostalgicinquisitor]

Just stumbled upon on your channel and oh boi I'm enjoying your content!

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you my friend, that is amazing to hear :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@tylermurphy37]

Great video!

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you Tyler! - Cheers, Duarte

[@EpreTroll]

Actually maybe not save that spider species. I'm sure we can use the budget for those seals

[@MossyEarth]

Don't worry, the seal is also receiving conservation and research funding! Thanks, Tiago

[@rory5780]

Nice also i live near bristol so i can go and see them.

[@MossyEarth]

If they go on display you definitely should! :)

[@snowwave22]

Hi! At the beginning of this video you say that portuguese colonizers cut down all the trees when they arrived on these islands... are there still trees on the island? are you planning to bring them back by planting some?

[@TheTdZt]

There are no more trees really. You can see some remnant shrubs one the steeper rock faces that the goats can’t reach but that’s it. The first step for recovery of the island’s vegetation would be to deal with the invasive species but that’s a project of a different scale. After that planting could be an option if natural regeneration were too slow or unlikely.

[@user-rz2dq3yu3i]

This. This is a video that made me realize that I want to be an ecologist. A 23yo that was forcefully taught only tech for my whole life. It was half a year ago. I admired biology my whole life. Mollusks especially. Just watch me, I'm gonna return here in a couple of years, updating about my bio exam. Watch me.

[@mrzoukdotcomzouklambadaboo8212]

Nice surprise to see ilhas desertas in this video.

[@MossyEarth]

Suprise suprise :) It is such an interesting and beautiful place! A privilege to be working there! - Cheers, Duarte

[@watjejanssen7535]

subscribed

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you! I hope you are enjoying our videos. Cheers, Tiago

[@crisgutie299]

Hello there! I've discovered this channel just surfing very interesting videos and waiting for watching the next &last video that you must be recording this spring I hope you will be sucessfully collecting viable adults . Will be nice to see a bit about Deserta Wolf Spider too and about invasive goat species one question , a couple of them are seen in this video , approximately how many individuals did you spotted during your time in the island ?

[@MossyEarth]

Hi Cris, I will ask Tiago the biologist who went on the trip for a comment on this. I'll add his reply below. Thank you for the kind words about the videos, it is a pleasure to make them! - Cheers, Duarte

[@crisgutie299]

@@MossyEarth Thank you so much for your reply Duarte and about that invasive species I didn't see herds running in the cliffts areas in your drone records except for two dwarf individuals in the lower land so I'm thinking there are no big numbers of them but I asked for curiosity and well it was an spectacular view and very clear images of the Topo da Deserta - Castanheira Valley and south Pedregal area indeed! Regards

[@MossyEarth]

Hi Cris, it seems like you know your way around the island ;) have you ever been there? Here is the reply from Tiago: "Thank you for the interest, that's a good question! It's hard to say but we spotted groups of 5-10 goats pretty regularly. I don't know what the current population estimate is but unfortunately there are still enough to cause trouble."

[@crisgutie299]

@@MossyEarth Olá Duarte e Tiago ! Duarte: Sim.. certamente não estás enganado nas tuas suspeitas! visitei a ilha há anos, mas apenas como um visitante não pra trabalhar na Ilha. Tiago: Muito obrigado por responder, quando visitei a Ilha só vi um bode ao longe com binóculos ! Abç

[@LeoDas688]

I wish I could also help and contribute to the cause,I hope you can save as may species as possible

[@MossyEarth]

Hi Gokul, we fund all of this work with our membership so be sure to check it out and see if it is something for you. - Cheers, Duarte

[@elizabethannegrey6285]

Since the island is so remote surely the snails will be specialised feeders. Will UK conservation labs be able to replicate? This aspect must surely have been investigated. Are they taking rooted samples of ferns with them?

[@12345Timeout]

We are having a snail problem where I live. They have all vanished from my local area Durham. Not seen any for last 2 years. Just lots of slugs filling there space.

[@1922BluePhoenix]

🤔..now that you mention it ..I haven't seen any in a long time either

[@scarease1]

God love all his creatures he now every feather ,scale and hair on every beast in air ,sky ,earth and water .

[@wolfganggugelweith8760]

What’s about Sasquatch?

[@freneticattic6064]

i think captive breeding is the only way to guarantee the survival of the snails, also some part of these snails should be kept in captivity by e.g. enthusiasts of snails at all times, because any changes such as climate changes or something else may wipe them irretrievably

[@DragonsAndDragons777]

You guys should make a DNA bank of every living life form, be it plant, whale, or snail. Then, in the distant future, species that have gone extinct by then can just be grown again!

[@kelleywebb7392]

Save evInlove Iceland👍👍

[@willyd-adv]

You fail to mention the Moiri also killed all the bigger birds including the 3.5 meter tall Moa

[@geheimnis8187]

Im from madeira and i have a question: will those snails be reintroduced back into the desertas?

[@TheTdZt]

Hi, it's amazing you found this, it's very important for us that people in Madeira spread the word about the endangered snails of the archipelago! Yes the goal of the captive breeding programme is to both provide a backup to prevent global extinction and to provide individuals to be re-introduced in the wild. This is a complex process involving the Zoos, the authorities in Madeira and protocols established by the IUCN but if all goes well they will be reintroduced in bugio and possibly elsewhere. We will keep you updated on all of this here. Cheers, Tiago

[@erikm8372]

I didn’t think they were removing ALL the individual snails from the island… but they needed 20, as he stated in the video, to form a breeding group. These offspring, of the temporarily-captive snails, are likely to be re-released, with the goal of repopulating what was lost…As well as any surviving captives, I would think the release will be a success.

[@ikkeisikke]

But are you also going to remove the threats to these snails otherwise they will just become endangered again right?

[@corrosionoc69]

By breeding these snails and presumably placing them back into their natural habitat couldn't you be unduly influencing the natural balance of the area? Assuming their threats have been removed, have you any idea of what their natural numbers should be?

[@MossyEarth]

It is hard to say what the natural numbers should be. However, we do know that this snail evolved without any natural predators which is why it is wiped so easily by invasives. Any possible reintroduction will occur in the other island where the invasives have been eradicated. Everything will be planned very carefully in advance and we will present it here on the channel :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@johnryan8533]

How do you start a breeding colony of snails when you put the captured snail in a sealed container??

[@MossyEarth]

They are transported to the breeding center ;) - cheers Duarte

[@Aquanorte]

U portuguese for sure! Nice English tho! Muito bem bro!

[@MossyEarth]

Obrigado ;) Tiago

[@scarease1]

Now can get trees plant wonder how that would effect animals populations .

[@dapper_gent]

Let's face it you guys are looking to invade gold mines and find hidden pirate's treasure.

[@MossyEarth]

😂

[@aarondoughty3752]

If nobody lived there is it still deserted.

[@mudbloodoutdoors718]

I would love to do what you all do how should I go about it 🤔

[@MossyEarth]

It's never a linear path but learning about ecology, conservation and restoration is surely a good place to start. Also depends on what skills and education you have already. Best of luck! Tiago

[@mudbloodoutdoors718]

Thank You

[@rainerkinzinger555]

How can there be goats alive in the island if there was no fresh water?

[@MossyEarth]

There is freshwater here and there at certain times of the year and they get water from the plants they eat. Thanks for the question! Cheers, Tiago

[@unplandivino]

There is no "leftover" creature. It is only our ignorance about Function and real Economy in an ecosystem

[@soulshadoww55]

Will you guys consider regreening/planting native trees to reforest the island? That would bring in new bird species and help any remaining native insects and animals.

[@Irisishunter]

No need to save the wolf spider personal reasons but goodluck with the snails

[@TheTdZt]

Haha they are actually adorable when you meet them :). Cheers, Tiago

[@eliseolopez6504]

Is this how you terminate species? On expeditions, all nature is to be untouched ecologist

[@ricga6795]

Iam sorry but i cant understand that effort for 4 species of snakes. This makes me kind of irritated. Iam not very asthetic, so i only care about the usage and efficiancy of interventions.

[@MossyEarth]

That is a fair opinion of course. We are not spending too many resources on this so we think it is worth it. Also they are snails not snakes ;) - cheers, Duarte

[@thomasjcorson4758]

Adapting and evolving are 2 different things no proof of evolving but lots of proof on adapting

[@bildahome]

No clue what this is about, we can live without snails, God forgot to give them feet and teeth anyway

[@thebackyardbear]

I can stand on a farm and count Zero deer on over 100 acres of land. If I use that as a sample size and extrapolate, I can consider deer officially extinct. When you see the problem with the logic... and extrapolate that to a global scale... you realize a lot of this is stupid.

[@MossyEarth]

I wouldn't discount the work of the malacologists, conservationists and naturalists whose profession it is to study these things so easily but who am I to say.. Cheers, Tiago