Hatching gives hope for rare Madagascan ducks' survival

This is the next generation of a very rare duck - the Madagascan pochard

Globally, there are many species of wildlife that fight for survival, but the Madagascan pochard duck really is on the brink of extinction.

However, help is at hand, as Owen Joiner, from the Washington WWT, joins a team of specialists in Madagascar.

Although there are only 20 Madagascan pochards left in the world, the species now has a lifeline with new ducklings.

Owen will be in the country until January working to ensure they have the best possible start to life.

Binomial name: Aythya innotata Species decline due to introduction of predator fish species in Madagascan lake In 2007, placed on "Possibly extinct" category in International Union for Conservation of Nature, Red List

Extinct

The Madagascar pochard is not only the world's rarest duck, but one of the most threatened birds of all.

The WWT Washington Wetland Centre's aviculture warden, Owen Joiner is joined by staff from WWT, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and The Peregrine Fund, in helping to pull the pochard back from the brink of extinction.

The critically endangered duck is so rare that it was declared extinct in the late 1990s.

But scientists found a few of the birds, by chance, during a trip to Madagascar in 2006.

Several ducklings have been hatched since early November as part of an international conservation mission involving the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT).

Dedicated work in Madagascar has paid off for the WWT scientists

Long term project

Peter Cranswick from WWT believes this is a significant achievement: "This is conservation at the cutting edge. The urgency of the situation has meant a great deal of invention and improvisation - but next year simply may have been too late.

"Safely bringing birds into captivity marks the start of a 20 or 30-year conservation project that will also help restore wetlands across the region."

The recently hatched ducklings are being reared in a temporary facility at a local hotel, where the group's expertise will help ensure that these precious ducklings survive.

You can read Owen's regular updated pochard survival diary through the WWT website here.