FASCINATING FACT

World’s rarest duck

Here in the UK, ducks are often disregarded as abundant birds, synonymous with waterways in urban environments. In fact, there are around 130 different species of duck around the world. However, none are rarer than the Madagascar pochard (Aythya innotata). This species of drab-coloured, medium sized duck was thought to be extinct for over fifteen years. It was rediscovered in 2006, where a tiny population was found on Lake Matsiborimena in North Madagascar. Nowadays, following decades of conservation efforts and captive-breeding projects, the population of this species sits at around 70 individuals. Since 2018 the Durrell

Wildlife Conservation Trust has managed to release 58 captive-bred birds back into their wild habitat, doubling the population in just a few years. This represents a major turnaround for the population and highlights the need for both in-situ and ex-situ captive breeding projects to save species on the edge.