Month: June 2023

Restoring Snail Populations in Tahiti

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Authored by Erica Graber, snail care specialist at the Detroit Zoological Society.

On April 15, 2,413 total partula nodosa snails were released into Papahue Valley, Tahiti, making this the largest wild release that has ever happened for this species. Partula nodosa, also known as Polynesian tree snails, are considered extinct in the wild by the International Union for Conservation of Nature —making this record-breaking release extremely important. 

Of the 2,413 partula nodosa released, 1,449 were from our collection at the Detroit Zoo! In November 2022, we sent 1,500 snails to the St. Louis Zoo in preparation for this release. From there, we shipped the snails to Tahiti in early April. Once they arrived in Tahiti, they were all marked with UV reflective paint, making them more visible on the trees and easier to track during post-release checks — even in the dark. They were placed in slow-release containers so they could leave and head up to the tree canopies at their own pace.

The Detroit Zoo released 1,500 snails to restore populations abroad.

Multiple partula snail species were driven to near extinction after African giant land snails were introduced to the islands as a food source for the people living there. Unfortunately, the African giant land snails escaped and thrived in the island habitat, causing them to quickly become invasive and destroy the vegetation, wreaking havoc on the island’s fragile ecosystem. Predatory rosy wolf snails were introduced as biological control, which backfired when they only went after native snail species, including partula snails. Partula snails are vital to maintaining tropical forest health as they eat decaying plant matter and fungi and recycle those nutrients into the soil. They are also an important part of Polynesian culture, as their shells were used in ceremonial jewelry and the decorations of the indigenous islanders. Losing this species is devastating both to the balance of the forest ecosystem and the history of the people living there.

At the Detroit Zoo, we have a room dedicated to our snails. As of May 23, we have 41 Kritter Keepers housing 3,595 snails. Each tank has paper towel as substrate, a feed tray, a cuttlebone and a fake plant to hide and climb on. The food is a mixture of organic nettle powder, ground organic oats, ground trout chow, a powdered calcium supplement and Teklad snail stress powder. When ready to use, we mix it with water to create a paste that we spread across the feed tray for the snails to easily eat. We keep the humidity in the room between 60 and 80 percent, and the temperature is consistently at 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. To keep the humidity up, which can be challenging in the dry winter months, up to five humidifiers run at once. We also mist the tanks daily to keep the paper towel moist. 

The snail room at the Detroit Zoo keeps the animals in optimal conditions.

As this species is extinct in the wild, we must track how many snails are in our captive population. Every month, I count all the snails and separate them based on size — newborn, juvenile, sub-adult and adult. Newborns are tiny, less than 3 millimeters. Juveniles are between 3 and 7 millimeters. Sub-adults and adults are similar in size, more than 8 millimeters, but the adults are most distinguishable by the thick white “lip” around the shell opening.

As a result of all these conditions being just right, Detroit Zoo team has been able to consistently breed this rare snail and contribute to the reintroduction process. The recent release of 1,500 snails was record-breaking for our facility — our previous record was 100 snails in May 2015. 

Our captive population is still flourishing and growing. There is talk of doing releases more frequently — as soon as September! With the commitment of Detroit, St. Louis, Akron, Woodland Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and all the other facilities working together to protect this species, the future is looking big and bright for these little snails.

Erica Graber helps organize this project at the Detroit Zoo.

Celebrate World Oceans Day by Saying ‘No’ to Microplastics!

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Water bottle refill stations at the Detroit Zoo help cut down on single use plastics and keep microplastics out of waterways.

Authored by Cameron Kniffen, Curator of Education for the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS).

More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water. As residents of Michigan, a state with beautiful, bountiful lakes and rivers, we tend to focus on freshwater systems when considering our impact on water quality, pollution and aquatic ecosystems. Many of us receive a thorough education on the vital role of the Great Lakes in our state’s history, economy and ecosystems. We are also taught to take responsibility for preserving our abundant water resources and to understand the negative effects of polluted waters on both people and the environment. It’s important to realize that our actions can impact water quality in the Great Lakes and other ecosystems outside of our freshwater sources. 

Many of us unknowingly contribute to the accumulation of microplastics in our waterways. Despite their small size, microplastics possess a significant potential to impact various species and ecosystems. Microplastics are tiny, minuscule plastic particles that can infiltrate virtually any environment — including the smallest, deepest crevasses of the ocean — and exert their harmful effects. Microplastics are produced by reducing plastic into miniature versions of its original manufactured form. While some microplastics are intentionally added to soaps and scrubs that contain microbeads, others are formed through prolonged exposure to the sun and constant movement in the water, causing the plastics to degrade into tiny particles. 

Microplastics harm ocean dwellers, like sea otters.

The accumulation of microplastics in our environment is an alarming concern due to their damaging effects on wildlife and their potential impact on human health. The ingestion of microplastics can cause physical harm to marine life. The particles can accumulate in the digestive tract, leading to blockages, ulcers and other internal injuries. This can result in severe malnutrition, starvation and even death. The presence of microplastics in marine organisms can also interfere with their feeding behavior, reproduction and growth rates.

Additionally, microplastics can have chemical and biological impacts on marine organisms. Plastic particles can contain or absorb toxic chemicals from their surroundings, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals. When these microplastics are ingested, the chemicals can leach out and be released into the organisms’ tissues, potentially causing toxicity and disrupting physiological functions.

Penguins, like these kings, benefit from clean ocean ways.

Furthermore, the potential for microplastics to enter the food chain and eventually impact human health is a growing concern. Seafood, such as fish, shellfish and mollusks, is an important source of protein and essential nutrients for many people around the world. As microplastics are ingested by marine organisms, they can bioaccumulate and pass through the food web, eventually reaching the seafood that humans consume. If these consumed organisms have ingested microplastics, there is a risk that humans may indirectly consume these particles when consuming contaminated seafood. Once ingested by humans, microplastics can potentially have adverse health effects.

Michigan’s Great Lakes area is an excellent demonstration of this interconnectedness. As plastic travels from local watersheds to the Great Lakes, it gradually breaks down into smaller fragments of plastic materials.  Microplastics can effortlessly hitch a ride in the waterways in this region and flow with the natural motions from west to east. Lake Superior flows those same microplastics into Lake Huron through the St. Mary’s River, and Lake Huron then seamlessly flows into Lake Erie through the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers. Finally, Lake Erie deposits the microplastics into Lake Ontario via the Niagara River. Ultimately, the entire system and its pollutants eventually drain into the Atlantic Ocean through the St. Lawrence River.

Polar bears Suka and Nuka’s diet includes seafood. Microplastics in seafood is a major concern for both animals and humans.

Working collaboratively and taking a thoughtful approach to our plastic consumption can positively impact the reduction of microplastics in our water systems. It’s important to consider products with minimal packaging and express our viewpoints to local and state governments in support of stronger recycling efforts and limits on plastic usage in manufacturing. Participating in beach clean-up events can also contribute to a cleaner future. However, it’s crucial we come together as a united front and advocate for regulations on large industrial manufacturers at a national and global level. Through advocacy and voting, communities can achieve significant change. With our collective efforts, we can create a brighter and cleaner future for all. 

The DZS is passionate about lessening our impact on our aquatic ecosystems. More than 10 years ago, the Detroit Zoo stopped carrying single-use plastic straws and lids and has made many more steps in the direction of a more sustainable future since then, including stopping the use of plastics bags at our gift shops and eliminating plastic bottle sales – which were previously our largest concession sale item – meant for single-use at all Detroit Zoo concessions, replacing them with reusable water bottles and water bottle refill stations. In celebration of World Oceans Day (June 8), we welcome you to join us at the Detroit Zoo and learn more about the ocean through educational programming on Saturday, June 10.

An Expedition Through the Amazon

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Pictured are 2023 Expedition participants, CONAPAC staff, DZS staff and Amazon Exlporama Guides.

Authored by Claire Lannoye-Hall, director of education for the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS).

The Amazon Rainforest is a beautiful and fascinating place to visit. An incredible variety of plants and animals make this region one of the most biologically diverse and important areas to protect in the world. 

Living in this area of the world is not easy. The remote communities are only accessible by boat, using the Amazon and Napo rivers — and their many tributaries — to get to the larger cities where medical care and material goods can be purchased. Most communities rely on the food they can grow within their communities or harvest from the rainforest. There are few opportunities to earn money — aside from selling natural resources, such as timber.

While the Peruvian government provides a school building and teachers for each community, it doesn’t have the resources to stock the shelves with books and materials — much less support each student with the materials they need to attend school and learn with their peers. In the early 1900s, CONAPAC, a nonprofit in northeastern Peru, started providing supplies to a few communities adjacent to properties owned and operated by Amazon Explorama Lodges. This was the start of the Adopt-A-School program, which has continually grown for almost three decades through the support of generous individuals from all over the world. The DZS partnered with CONAPAC in 1999 after years of the Detroit Zoo conducting field research in the area. The partnership provided a stable and reputable U.S.-based nonprofit where individuals could receive tax receipts for their donations and enhance donor confidence in the project.  

In the early 2000s, the DZS started organizing expeditions to the Amazon. Individuals can pay a fee to participate in the Adopt-A-School program by helping to distribute school supplies to the partner communities. The fee supports CONAPAC and accounts for a majority of its annual operating budget. The trip participants spend time in the rainforest, learn about its ecology and interact with families who have lived there for generations. This spring, 35 individuals from around the country participated in the Amazon Rainforest Expeditions. They paid their airfare and made a $1,500 contribution to support CONAPAC and offset a small portion of their lodging and meal expenses, which were otherwise covered by Amazon Explorama Lodges. 

Pictured is a room at ExplorNapo Lodge.

During the first week, the group visited the Canopy Walkway (a more than 1,500-foot-long aerial experience that connects 14 platforms secured to trees up to 115 feet in the air), went on night boat rides to explore the plants and animals after dark, and, most importantly, delivered school supplies to thousands of students and teachers. Each student receives a set of notebooks, pens, pencils and other materials they will use throughout the school year. Teachers also receive a set of supplies, as well as items to be used for the entire school. The school’s supplies include paper, writing and coloring utensils, text and story books, chalk or dry-erase markers, educational toys and more. 

Pictured are students with their school supplies.

A second expedition, with a new group of participants, finished the school supply deliveries to the final two communities, then spent four days working in the community of Ramon Castilla. This small community was in dire need of a new community kitchen. Most of the kitchen structure was built by a professional contractor out of concrete to ensure it will last in the climate and withstand the variety of insects that eat and destroy natural materials, like wood. Trip participants built window frames and screened them, primed and painted the concrete, and painted the community’s water purification tower. 

Trip participants helped construct a kitchen.

While some community members and trip participants were helping with the construction projects, the children in the community interacted with the rest of the group in the school. Together, they did environmental education activities and crafts, and they planted fruit trees and seeds in the school garden. The activities build math and science skills while reinforcing how an intact ecosystem contributes to the well-being of all who call the rainforest home. 

This international partnership continues to stand the test of time, prioritizing access to education and supporting the teachers, students and families who live in the Amazon rainforest. To support the Adopt-A-School program, click here. To sign up for information about future rainforest expeditions, click here.