In 2018 we initiated a project entitled “Understanding the Remarkable Biodiversity of Príncipe Island”, which aimed fill important knowledge gaps about the Island’s bird and mollusc species and develop local capacities for research and conservation through the implementation of field methodologies.

The resulting information led to the development of a Conservation Action Plan for the Obô Giant Snail and is supporting the update of the management plan of the Príncipe Natural Park.

 

Estrela Matilde © Fundação Príncipe

Context:

The Obô Giant Snail (Archachatina bicarinata) is a large terrestrial mollusc that occurs only in the forests of São Tomé and Príncipe Islands. It is a culturally significant species with a long history of harvesting for food and use in traditional medicine.

It has been classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1996, but there is evidence of a severe ongoing decline in both population and range during the past 30 years, and re-assessment of its status is long overdue.

 
 

Main activities included:

Field surveys of birds and molluscs, resulting in a detailed scientific report;

  • Published inventory of terrestrial mollusc species, including 6 species new to science;

  • Awareness raising activities and workshops with government entities, eco-guides, and other civil society;

  • Development of a first Conservation Action Plan for the Obô Giant Snail for the period 2021-2025;

  • Re-assessment of the status of the Obô Giant Snail on the IUCN Red List

 

Funders & partners