Marie Claire Dusabe
We designed this project to rediscover the critically endangered snails in Lakes Edward and Albert that have not been seen or recorded for more than 10 years. For more than 10 years, there has been no initiative aimed at intensively surveying Lakes Edward and Albert, specifically to determine if the critically endangered snails Gabbiella candida and Gabbiella walleri, and the endangered Ceratophallus apertus and Bellamya rubicunda still exist or are extinct. In addition, a large number of snail species from Lakes Edward and Albert are currently listed as 'Data Deficient' (DD), meaning that there is insufficient information about their taxonomy, ecology, or distribution to assess whether or not they are threatened. In addition, there is a high demand for snails at Lake Albert. Locals make a living by collecting snail shells in large quantities from the water and selling them to investors in the chicken and animal feed industries in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. We will survey sites at various depths in the lakes and the locations where the species were last seen to document their presence or absence, as well as the distribution of all snail species in the lakes.
DNA extraction of snails sampled in Lakes Albert and Edward. © Marcellin Rwibutso.
As part of this project, we will document the threats facing the lakes, describe the locations where the threatened species are found, and document indigenous knowledge about the lakes to gain insight into the threats facing the snails and the lakes. Based on our findings, we will propose potential actions to conserve the snails and protect the lakes in general. Our findings and proposed actions will be shared with the IUCN Species Conservation Program, researchers (through workshops and conferences), and relevant stakeholders, and published in a peer-reviewed journal. In addition, we will organise an educational campaign for elementary schools at Lake Albert that will convey the message about the protection of the lake, the role and importance of snails, and the need for future protection of areas with endangered species. The campaign will be organised in a fun and educational way so that children can pass on the messages to their friends and family and reduce the pollution of the lake.
Header: Local community collects Lake Albert shoreline snails for chicken feed in Butiaba region. © Marie Claire Dusabe.