Endemic snails were once abundant throughout Mauritius. Habitat destruction and the introduction of exotic species, mainly rats, tenrecs and toads, have significantly led to a reduction in the abundance and distribution of endemic snail populations. Of 81 known endemic Mauritian species of land snail, 36 species are extinct and most of the remaining endemic species are threatened with extinction.

As the occurrence of the Pachystyla bicolor snail is so low, snails were collected from the wild, captive bred off site at La Vanille Nature Reserve in especially built outdoor enclosures. From four adults collected in the wild, we were able to captive breed more than 500 Pachystyla bicolor. The offspring were head started at La Vanille and when they reached adulthood, 50 individuals were released in two fenced predator free area at Vallée de L’Est. To reduce the impact of predators, we built two 5 m x 5 m (25 m², with a 1m high fence) predator proof fences in an area of good quality native forest, favoured by the snail species. Toads and tenrecs were trapped and removed and the fences prevented their reinvasion. Five toad and tenrecs pitfall traps within the fenced area captured any remaining or potentially invading animals. Nine A24 Goodnature traps were placed in a grid at 25 m intervals around the fenced areas to control rodents. This was effective at reducing the number of rats. Habitat features, such as logs, leaves, stones and litter, favoured by snails were added to the area. Fifty adult snails were released in each enclosure. After a year, a total of 7 snails had died. The causes of deaths were unclear. All found snails were measured and weighed every month. After a year, the average weight of the snails had increased from 5.15 g to 8.69 g and average size increased from 29.51 mm to 33.90 mm in diameter. We observed first breeding in the enclosures after 9 months. After a year, we had a total of 145 juveniles produces from the two enclosures. The captive-bred population at La Vanille will be maintained as an insurance colony that can be used to reinforce populations elsewhere.