New Milestone For World's Rarest Duck

Tuesday, 8 February 2022 11:46

A pochard ducking. Photo credit: Durrell

A group of the world's rarest ducks have been released into the wild as part of a Durrell project to save the species from extinction.

The Madagascar pochards were thought to be gone until being rediscovered in 2006.

Some 20 ducklings were secured from the wild in 2009, from which a captive population of over 100 birds has been established in a conservation-breeding facility in the regional capital of Antsohihy.

There were 70 wild birds on just one site in Madagascar, so conservationists have created a new population on Lake Sofia.

The first re-introduction took place in 2018.

35 were released onto the remote site last year, bringing the total up to 47.

The ducks spend time in floating aviaries to adjust to their surroundings

“The current releases are a fantastic achievement and a testament to the entire team on the ground in Madagascar: those looking after the captive population and breeding and rearing birds for release to those ensuring that the ducks have settled in safely to their new home on Lake Sofia.

Reflecting back to when the project first started in 1989 and there seemed no hope for the species, I am so proud to be where we are today. The pochard is not yet safe but it has a fighting chance thanks to this wonderful team.” - Durrell’s Head of Birds, Dr Glyn Young.

Further releases are planned for this year.