New Conservation Initiative Formed to Reverse Decline of Desmoulin’s Whorl Snail
A new conservation partnership between Longleat and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust aims to reverse the decline of the critically rare, two-millimeter Desmoulin’s Whorl Snail. Funded by Natural England, the initiative combines habitat restoration with a world-first captive breeding and reintroduction programme to secure the future of this tiny but vital wetland species.
This incredible photograph shows one of the rarest snails in Britain, and now a new partnership is working to secure its future.
Around just two millimetres in size, Desmoulin’s Whorl Snail is one of the UK’s tiniest and most remarkable wetland species and has been found at just two sites in Wiltshire, in Warminster and Pewsey.
Its existence in rare and fragile wetland and riparian habitats is a powerful indicator of healthy wetlands, say experts, who are not revealing the location to protect the species.
However, the tiny snails are in fragmented populations, less able to interbreed and move to unoccupied good habitat which means the species will continue to decline if nothing is done.
Desmoulin's Snail in the bow hole of a key for scale
The new initiative by Longleat, in partnership with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, and funded through Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme, will combine conservation breeding, habitat restoration, and reintroduction to support and strengthen the existing populations.
Once found throughout the Hampshire Avon catchment, the species now occurs only in small pockets of wetland and riverbanks in calcareous (chalk) regions.
We have an opportunity to make a real difference to a special species that is found right on our doorstep. The wetland habitats in which it lives have historically been lost as we have chased higher agricultural productivity. Creating space for one of our wetlands' smallest residents also creates space for others, so we’re excited to get started.
This project will restore critical wetland and riparian habitats in Wiltshire and establish a conservation breeding centre for the species. Together, these two approaches will provide more habitat for the species and create a sustainable source of snails for reintroduction. We are delighted to be working with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust on this exciting conservation project to protect a species for the future.Longleat
We were delighted to find two populations of the previously unrecorded Desmoulin’s Whorl Snail in 2025 in Warminster and Pewsey. Protecting a species that is only two millimetres long comes with challenges, especially when the delicate wetlands they rely on are facing extreme pressure from climate change and changing land use. Wiltshire Wildlife Trust are very excited to be launchingthis project with Longleat where we look to increase the numbers of the snails to actively reverse the decline whilst simultaneously creating resilient, healthy habitats where this tiny snail can thrive.Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
Another challenge is that no one has ever bred the species in captivity, so the team will be learning everything from scratch. This means the team will be learning important lessons about the species biology, which could then help its conservation in the wild.
For any challenging conservation project, you need the best people, and we’ve brought together an incredible team. Using the experience of our in-house team for conservation breeding, working with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust on habitat restoration, and advised by species experts, we have given ourselves the best chance to be successful in conserving a very challenging species.Longleat
The threats facing the Desmoulin’s Whorl Snail - from shifting water tables to habitat loss - are indicative of how vulnerable our county’s wetlands are. That’s what makes this partnership so special and vital; we are taking innovative action to safeguard rare species and their habitats.Wiltshire Wildlife Trust