HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The Honolulu Zoo announced that its Keiki Zoo Barn has reopened after making upgrades to its snail and guinea pig exhibits.

The barn reopened on Wednesday, and the zoo showcased two new species in the Native Hawaiian Snail Lab: a native tree snail and a ground snail.

It is part of a statewide Snail Extinction Prevention Program to help prevent the extinction of Hawaii’s native snails.

“We’re proud to collaborate with (Department of Land and Natural Resources) and the Bishop Museum on the snail conservation work at the zoo,” said Nicolas Gougeon, zoo education specialist at the Honolulu Zoo. “This lab not only helps in protecting the snails, but also highlighting their importance they have on Hawaii’s ecosystems.”

Officials said as many as 750 snail species ar

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