Giant snails, which may weigh up to 500 grams, reach a length of 10 centimeters, and are highly valued in the Ivory Coast, are sadly vanishing from the rainforest due to deforestation and pesticide use.

Locals are growing them in thriving farms in an attempt to preserve the species while also making money.

“Snail farming is less expensive, it doesn’t require any veterinary products, and it’s one of the few types of farming where you won’t be told to buy veterinary feed or pay outside expenses. So it’s less expensive, it’s easy, it’s natural, and it’s organic,” said Bernus Bleu, founder and director of the Côte d’Ivoire expertise escargots (CIEE).

Thousands of Ivorians have entered the field of snail farming after obtaining training since it is easy, profitable, and productive. The government reports that output has increased significantly, going from 25 to 250 tonnes of snails per month in just five years.

Approximately 1,500 remain in the humid southern region of Côte d’Ivoire today.

“We train the farmers, we set them up and then we buy back. And our sale outlets, of course, are the snail shells, which are used to feed livestock. The third outlet is the snail’s slime, which can be used to make cosmetic products, and we have exclusive rights to make soap from snail slime,” added the CIEE director.

In Azaguié, 40 km north of the capital city, four women combine snail mucus, coconut oil, green coloring, and scent to manufacture soap and shower gel at the Côte d’Ivoire expertise escargots headquarters. In the little workshop, 5,000 soaps and 5,000 gel bottles are typically made every week.

According to Nelly Blon, the Workshop Manager, “Snail mucin hydrates the skin. It moisturizes, improves the complexion, and slows down the aging of the skin”.

In addition to being incredibly attractive, snails are a delicacy that is used in many Ivorian cuisines. “People like it because it’s sweet… If it’s well-prepared, it’s very tasty,” said “La Jumelle”, a snail vendor. 

In the last 60 years, Côte d’Ivoire has lost almost 90% of its forest cover, mostly as a result of overuse of its agricultural resources, especially cocoa, of which it is the world’s largest producer.

Regular pesticide usage, deforestation, and climatic dangers are deadly to both people and wildlife.