A RESCUE operation with a difference took place yesterday as countryside rangers went in search of a rare snail.
Jenny Hargreaves and Mike Ewart abseiled down Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh to collect soil samples which might provide answers about the blind white snail.
Cecilioides acicula was thought to be extinct in Scotland. So-called because of its absence of eyes, it has been identified by Edinburgh Biodiversity Partnership as one of 100 rare species in Scotland. Edinburgh City Council is keen to learn more about the rare mollusc to improve conservation.
Searches have located it in other parts of Holyrood Park, including Samson's Rib, but Arthur's Seat has been one of the final areas to be explored because of the steepness of the cliff side.
The countryside rangers collected 12 bags of soil from the site at Arthur's Seat, including samples from rabbit burrows.
Susan Ritchie, a countryside ranger, said: ''This is the first time the rangers have used their abseiling skills for research purposes. It is very hard to see the snail because it is so small and transparent. It is only when it is dead and the shell turns white that we can see it better.''
Conservationists will now search through the soil samples for white shells. ''This snail is a complete mystery to us at the moment,'' said Ms Ritchie. ''We really have very little idea about its biology.''
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