In July 2026, a powerful storm called Super Typhoon Bavi hit the Northern Mariana Islands. The storm had very strong winds and high ocean waves. On the island of Rota, which was in the storm's path, lived a small group of endangered humped tree snails (Partula gibba). These snails only exist in a few small areas on Guam and nearby islands.
As the typhoon approached, a special rescue mission was organized. The United States Marine Corps worked with the University of Guam, the Hawaii Snail Extinction Prevention Program, and government wildlife experts. They successfully moved 34 of the rare snails to safety before the storm arrived.
These snails were then transported a long distance to the Saint Louis Zoo in Missouri, in the American Midwest. They are now living in the zoo's Bayer Insectarium. This is the first time this type of snail has been kept at this zoo.
This move is very important for the species. For the first time, these snails are getting expert care at a zoo. The zoo's WildCare Institute Partula Snail Program is now responsible for them. This program helps protect endangered species in captivity and supports conservation efforts in their natural homes.
These snails have faced many dangers for years, including natural disasters and threats to their habitat like fires and new predators. Invasive species have also caused problems in the past. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering new protections for the snails in their original habitat. For now, these important creatures are safe in a zoo in Missouri.