Hopes critically endangered snails breed at safari park

Critically endangered snails have arrived at a UK safari park, where conservationists hope they will breed.

Eight giant magnolia snails, which can grow up to 6.5cm long, are settling into their new home at Longleat, Wiltshire. Experts believed the creature was extinct until they were re-discovered in southern Vietnam in 2012.

There are thought to be only about 300 left in the world, with 56 snails in European zoological collections.

Keeper Samantha Peeke said: "The biggest threat to their survival is being used for food and the shell trade. We are hoping they will start breeding, which will be incredible for the species."