Meet Jamie, the Disney Cast Member Saving a Species from Extinction
When Animal Care Manager Jamie heard that the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) was rallying partners to save extinct-in-the-wild Partula snails, he saw a chance for Disney to deepen its global commitment to wildlife conservation – and he knew he had to be a part of it.
As a longtime member of Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment team, Jamie has spent decades caring for species of all shapes and sizes. But this mission was something special – it took him thousands of miles from home to the breathtaking island of Tahiti, all in the name of saving a snail.
Reintroducing Partula Snails to Tahiti
Partula snails – also known as Polynesian tree snails – are tiny, tropical land snails native to the French Polynesian islands. Barely the size of a ballpoint pen tip when born and smaller than a fingernail when fully grown, these delicate creatures hold deep cultural significance for the Polynesian people. But by the 1980s they had vanished from the wild, victims of an invasive predator: the rosy wolfsnail.
Around that same time, Jamie began his journey as a Disney cast member. His fascination with animals started much earlier, back in third grade, when a science teacher brought snakes and salamanders to class.
“I really gravitated towards those species,” Jamie recalled. “And I knew I wanted to work with them someday.”
While attending a zoological conference around 2005, Jamie first learned about the plight of the Partula snail. Inspired to help, he made a case for Disney to support their recovery. Eventually, the Partula snail became the first invertebrate Species Survival Plan (SSP) supported by Disney, a program run by the AZA and its partners to bolster populations of endangered and threatened species in managed care.
A Moment Decades in the Making
Today, after more than 35 years with Disney, Jamie’s commitment has come full circle. He recently spent nearly three weeks assisting with the release of over 4,000 Partula snails, including nearly 800 that were bred by his team at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Disney is one of several U.S. zoos that are working together to give Partula snails a second chance. Efforts like this are a part of Disney Planet Possible, an ongoing commitment to taking action that puts possibility into practice and inspires optimism for a brighter, healthier planet.
“It’s incredibly humbling to help bring a species back to the place it once called home,” Jamie said. “Every small step we take toward rebuilding wild populations makes a big difference.”
Why Partula Snails Matter
With all the different charismatic species at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – from rhinos to tigers – some may wonder: what makes a snail so special?
“Having had a chance to go see them in the wild, it’s easy to see that they have a connection to the environment,” Jamie explained. “They help with the overall health of the forests they live in.”
According to the AZA, Partula snails play a vital role in helping to recycle dead plant debris, contributing to the overall health of their ecosystems. Their reintroduction in Tahiti and neighboring Mo’orea will strengthen ecosystems where invasive species occupy up to 90% of forests, gradually replacing native species.
Disney’s Role in the 2025 Release
Disney has been caring for and breeding Partula snails since 2009. Recently, Jamie and his team achieved an important milestone. For the first time, they’re sending Partula snails to other institutions in the U.S. to support the Partula snail population.
And ahead of the most recent release, Jamie and his team added a creative touch. Each snail’s shell was marked with white, iridescent paint to help biologists in Tahiti spot them high up in the canopy.
Disney’s Role in the 2025 Release
With most of Disney’s Partula snails now in Tahiti, Jamie and his team are focused on growing the snail population at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and preparing for a future release.
“We’re so close to downgrading them from ‘extinct in the wild’ to ‘endangered,’” Jamie said. “It’s a small step, but to go from extinct in the wild to having a small, sustainable population is amazing.”
From Walt Disney World to the lush forests of French Polynesia, the story of the Partula snail is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when passionate people like Jamie take action.
Interested in learning more about Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment team? Follow Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment on Facebook and Dr. Mark on Instagram.
