In an effort to preserve Guam’s most common native tree snail, members of the university community along with federal partners last week relocated hundreds of Guam Tree Snails at War in the Pacific National Historical Park.

Dr. G. Curt Fiedler, whose ongoing research focuses on the understanding and preservation of Guam’s snail species, said the relocation of the snails stemmed from plans to spray pesticide on the little fire ants, an invasive species found at War in the Pacific.

Fiedler said not only is the pesticide potentially harmful to the snails, the little fire ants themselves pose a risk to snails and their habitat.

Over the course of two days, Fiedler, University of Guam students Steve Pillman, Art Perez, Aileen Fabia, Jaydlee Martin, Jocelyn Emia, UOG alumni Michael Natuel, and National Park Service Biologist Jenny Coffman relocated 300 Guam Tree Snails from the south side of the park to the north side.

Despite being Guam’s most common tree snail, the Guam Tree Snail (Partula radiolata) and two other native species—Partula gibba and Samoana fragilis— are slated to appear as threatened or endangered species on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s endangered species list.

“We have to be very careful because in the two years I’ve been working with snails, I’ve seen populations go from hundred to less than a handful in a matter of months,” Fiedler said. 

Fiedler said the Guam Tree snails can be also be found at Gun Beach, Tanguisson Beach, Guam National Wildlife Refuge’s Ritidian Unit, Haputo Beach, and even along the Lonfit River in Ordot among other locations. However, the other two species are much less common, and can only be found in one or locations on island.

“The tree snails are part of Guam’s natural heritage, and they play important ecological roles in limestone forest communities,” Fiedler said. “Guam’s native tree snails aren’t harmful to people or the plants we grow. They are special animals that are in dire need of protection.”