‘It’s an obsession’: one man and his family on a mission to save Europe’s glutinous snail

Ian Hughes and his family are spearheading efforts to save the glutinous snail, one of Europe’s most endangered molluscs, found only in the freshwater habitat of Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake) in north Wales. The snail, notable for its delicate, gelatinous shell, has been driven to extinction in much of England due to pollution from agriculture and industry. Hughes, who has devoted over a decade to conserving this tiny species, often works alongside his sons, using careful scientific methods to protect and monitor the snails in their last remaining UK habitat. The glutinous snail’s fragile shell requires meticulous handling, with Hughes using fine paintbrushes to move the creatures without harm. The species’ decline reflects broader environmental challenges facing freshwater ecosystems, where pollutants have severely damaged habitats such as ponds, ditches, and lakes. This year, the UK government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) recognized the snail’s critical status by including it in a £60 million funding initiative aimed at protecting threatened species, providing a significant boost to conservation efforts. Hughes’s passion for wildlife conservation began in his youth, initially through art and taxidermy, before transitioning into invertebrate care and environmental projects supported by Natural England. His family has been integral to his work, with his sons regularly accompanying him on field trips, often involving physically demanding tasks like wading into cold waters to collect samples and monitor populations. This family-driven approach underscores the personal commitment behind the scientific mission to preserve the glutinous snail and highlights the importance of grassroots conservation efforts in safeguarding biodiversity. The plight of the glutinous snail serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of freshwater species to human-induced environmental changes. Protecting such rare organisms not only preserves unique elements of Europe’s natural heritage but also signals broader ecosystem health, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and investment in habitat restoration and pollution control.