A snail previously thought to be extinct because of climate change has been rediscovered living in the wild area in Seychelles. Aldabra banded snail, scientific name Rhachistia aldabrae, was declared extinct in 2007. The snail has been hiding out in Seychelles, 155-island country spanning an archipelago in the Indian Ocean. The snail was seen on August 23.

According to Seychelles Islands Foundation, mollusk, known as the Mollusca, is endemic to the Aldabra coral atoll; it had not been seen in Seychelles since 1997.

Conservation ecology professor at Duke University, Stuart Pimm said, "Could we live without this little snail? Almost certainly". Pimm added that it is difficult to say what economic difference the species could make to the world.

A research team from the Seychelles Islands Foundation has confirmed the discovery of seven of the purple-and-pink striped snails on Aldabra atoll's Malabar Island last week.

A junior skipper on the voyage, Shane Brice, has made the initial discovery. According to Brice, the discovery was surprising as no one had ever seen the species before. Brice said that the finding was quite amazing for him.

Assistant training officer for the foundation, Catherina Onezia, said that the research team is very excited with the discovery. According to Onezia, the finding proves that Aldabra still has several secrets and researchers will continue to discover interesting things about the species.

Experts of Mollusk, Pat Matyot and Vincent Florens, have verified the discovery after examining the pictures of snail that the research team has provided.

Vincent Florens, professor of ecology, said Aldabra banded snail is the only identification which shows distinctive shell pattern of the snail.

Conservationists could not find how Aldabra banded snail reached Seychelles, which is a hot, dry island surrounded by saltwater.