Madagascar Pochard

The Madagascar Pochard is the rarest duck in the world, with a population of just 100. A medium-sized duck, the Madagascar Pochard matures to a length of 45–54 cm. They have an appealing white belly, reddish-brown flanks, and a greyish beak. They can only be found in Madagascar's marshes and freshwater lakes. For many years, it was believed that this exceptionally uncommon species of duck had gone extinct. However, at lake Mastsaborimena in 2006, about 20 Madagascar Pochards were rediscovered.

The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust started a breeding program that same year. By 2013, the researchers had successfully increased Madagascar Pochard's population from 20 to 80. The loss of nesting grounds and the introduction of new species to their environment are to blame for the initial decline in the Pochard duck population. Due to the lack of food in their habitat, the Pochard ducks are still in danger of going extinct. The Pochard duck is a species of bird listed as severely endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).