World’s rarest ducks make Easter debut

Newborn ducklings from the world's most endangered duck species – the Madagascar pochard (PA)

Six years ago their kind was feared extinct, but 18 newborn ducklings from the world's most endangered duck species – the Madagascar pochard – met the public for the first time yesterday.

They were hatched at a specially built breeding centre in Antsohihy, on the island off East Africa, bringing the total population to just 60.

The ducks were thought to have died out in the 1990s, but were rediscovered in 2006, when conservationists on an expedition spotted 22 birds at Lake Matsaborimena in northern Madagascar.

The breeding programme is being led by Britain's Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. PA