Rare Madagascar ducks 'on brink of extinction'

The Madagascar Pochard, the world's rarest duck, is on the brink of becoming extinct, wildlife experts have warned.

The Telegraph 23 Aug 09;

There are thought to be just 19 of the diving ducks left in the world - only six of which are female - living on a small remote lake on the Indean Ocean island.

The lake was visited last month by staff from the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (Durrell) and The Peregrine Fund.

The charities planned to set up a breeding programme for the ducks, but were alarmed to find dwindling numbers because none of the 11 birds born last year had survived.

They are now trying to take emergency action before the species dies out.

Nigel Jarrett, WWT's aviculture manager was one of the staff who made the trip. He said: "With possibly only six females, the total population of Madagascar Pochard might well number just six pairs, and with no successful fledglings from the 2008 season the need to establish a captive breeding facility has become even more urgent.

"The plan is to develop a conservation breeding centre in collaboration with the government of Madagascar in 2010. However, following the expedition, discussions are underway to see if temporary measures can be taken to secure the population in the interim. If so, the team will return to the lake in October this year.

"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, we hope to at least double the total numbers of pochards. In time, these will be released into the wild at suitable sites."

The species is classed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. During the 1990s it was thought Madagascar Pochards were already extinct, but biologists rediscovered the birds in 2006.

WWT has blamed their declining numbers on degraded wetlands following agricultural conversion, deforestation and the introduction of non-native fish. The charity's long-term goal is to restore the wetlands and their endemic wildlife, and work with local communities to make sure they are used sustainably.

Glyn Young, Durrell's project leader, said: "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."

Lily-Arison Rene de Roland, national director of The Peregrine Fund's Madagascar project, said: "Since the 2006 rediscovery, the birds have successfully raised only 11 young. This low productivity is a great concern and warrants a captive breeding programme and conservation of the site."