From Africa to Naranjal Norte, in Matanzas.
These mollusks, with their unique appearance, have begun to roam freely through gardens, vacant lots, and other corners of the community.
The Naranjal Norte neighborhood in Matanzas has become the scene of a phenomenon that seems straight out of an exotic tale: the appearance of giant African snails.
These unique-looking mollusks have begun to roam freely through gardens, vacant lots, and other corners of the community.
The residents, witnesses to this peculiar invasion, react with a mixture of astonishment and nonchalance. For some, the presence of these snails is a source of curiosity, while others describe it with the same casualness as mentioning a bird in the yard, although it wasn’t always this way.
Some time ago, the mere mention of these snails would send shivers down anyone’s spine. The press described them as an aggressive and harmful threat, capable of triggering health alerts.
The recent silence on the subject had led to the belief that, like the lionfish—which at one time kept many away from the beaches for fear of its aggressive contact—the giant African snails had disappeared or lost relevance, but this was not the case.
The lionfish, by the way, ended up in many people’s kitchens, celebrated for its exquisite flavor. However, concern about the giant African snail persists.
After researching online, I confirmed that these snails are not harmless. They affect crops, although, it should be noted, crops face other, more pressing challenges. Even so, their rapid spread is cause for alarm. Therefore, I suggest that health and agricultural authorities conduct a survey in Naranjal Norte to verify their presence and control their proliferation.
It is not my intention to cause alarm, but to prevent problems. The presence of these snails could have consequences that affect the residents of the area. It is better to act now, before what today seems like a curiosity becomes a bigger problem.
In Naranjal Norte, nature reminds us that, sometimes, the exotic and the everyday intertwine in unexpected ways. And while the giant African snails continue on their way, the community observes, comments, and waits.
Written by Enrique Tirse.
