Hunters' tally shows native snails not so rare as believed

Solid Energy says it expects to find more than 1000 giant land snails at its Stockton mine.

Conservationists had claimed only 500 of the Powelliphanta augustus snails remained.

In April, Solid Energy received permission from the ministers of conservation and energy to move a population of the snails from part of its Stockton ridgeline, so it could mine up to $400 million worth of coal.

Solid Energy communications director Vicki Blyth said yesterday that the permit required the company to use its "best endeavours" to find and relocate at least 250 snails.

About 620 Powelliphanta augustus snails had been found after looking in only 25 per cent of the area. The 25 contracted snail searchers were yet to move into an area thought to be the most densely populated by the snails, she said.

"Common sense would probably tell you that seeing we have found over 600 ... we are likely to find at least 1000, which is good news for the snail population because pessimists were predicting there were only 500 left."

Environmental groups, such as the Save Happy Valley Coalition, have long maintained the giant land snails are a "rare species".

Coalition spokeswoman Frances Mountier said even if several thousand Powelliphanta augustus snails were discovered, the species would still be considered rare and critically endangered.

Ms Blyth acknowledged the high number of snails expected to be found would drive up the cost of the relocation operation. It will also be some time before Solid Energy can begin ridgeline mining.

- NZPA