Last chance for Madagascar pochard – World’s rarest duck

Madagascar pochard. Urgent action required to save the bird from extinction.

August 2009. Conservationists have become increasingly concerned for the plight of the Madagascar pochard, the world's rarest duck and possibly the world's rarest bird, following the discovery of only six females during a recent expedition to the country.

Project partners, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) and The Peregrine Fund (TPF), also report the devastating news that there were no surviving young from 2008, when the small known population of just 19 birds did breed successfully. Without active conservation intervention the species may become extinct.

Critically endanagered
This small endemic duck was thought to have gone extinct in the 1990s, but was rediscovered in 2006 by The Peregrine Fund on a small remote lake in north-western Madagascar. This has given us a second chance to save this species. But, although this tiny population seems relatively stable, it may be extremely vulnerable to the slightest change to its environment.

Recovery plan
Building on Durrell's extensive experience with the conservation and breeding of threatened ducks in Madagascar and WWT's long history of endangered wildfowl conservation worldwide, these UK institutions together with TPF, an American conservation organisation, and the Government of Madagascar are launching a recovery plan for the species.

Captive breeding
Following last month's trip to Madagascar, this recovery plan will focus on the instigation of an immediate programme to rear ducklings and hold adults in secure conditions within Madagascar.

These birds would form the basis for a conservation breeding programme, when facilities are built in 2010. At the same time the team will start to collect ecological data on the species and identify potential lakes for reintroduction.

Durrell's Project Leader, Dr Glyn Young, believes action needs to be taken now, "The window of opportunity to save the species from extinction is incredibly small, and we must all muster the energy and resources necessary to stop another species from becoming extinct".

WWT's Aviculture Manager, Nigel Jarrett, said: "The original plan was to take the first batch of eggs in 2010 but, following the expedition, discussions are underway to see if the timetable can be brought forward to this year's breeding season, which would see the team return to the lake in October.

"Once we have secured eggs from the wild, WWT's and Durrell's extensive experience of rearing endangered wildfowl, at Slimbridge and Jersey, will be used to breed the birds at a purpose-built facility in Madagascar. This will act as a ‘safety net', greatly reducing the immediate risk of extinction.

Within three years, the hope is to at least double the total numbers of pochards. In time, these will be released into the wild on suitable sites."