There’s a secret zoo for snails hidden high on a central section of the Waianae mountain range. Jamie Tanino, rare snail conservation specialist, scans the leaves of ieie vines as part of a routine check for almost 300 Kahuli tree snails contained within the 525-foot perimeter of the fenced-in area. The walls for the enclosure, which protect the snails from predators, are flown in by helicopter as part of the Army’s $7 million program to protect the native Hawaiian species in areas impacted by military activity.

TIME: Thursday, 1:51 p.m.

LOCATION: Waianae Mountain Snail Enclosure, Oahu Army Natural Resources Program

PHOTOGRAPHER: Liz Barney