Record-breaking release of 'extinct in the wild' Polynesian snails.

More than 5,000 partula snails, belonging to 11 different species, have been released on the islands of Moorea and Tahiti after being bred in captivity. The snails, which play an important role in maintaining tropical forest health, were classified as "extinct in the wild" by the IUCN Red List of endangered species. The release is the largest ever of an "extinct in the wild" species and is helping to restore the ecological balance to the islands. The snails were individually marked with a dot of red UV-reflective paint to help conservationists monitor the growing populations.