Our keepers have recorded this amazing footage of one of the world’s rarest ducks hatching from its egg. The Baer’s pochard duckling – a species which is on the brink of extinction – was recorded inside our incubator, determinedly making its way out into the world to take its very first breath! The arrival of the duckling, as well as six others to successfully hatch at the zoo this year, has given a boost to the global population of Baer’s pochards. Experts fear that just a few hundred remain in

⭐The world’s rarest duck has bred in the wild ⭐ 12 Madagascar pochard ducklings have been sighted on Lake Sofia, where 21 captive-bred ducks were released just a year earlier! This magnificent discovery has defied all expectations, as diving ducks normally breed for the first time at two years old. Thought to be extinct for 15 years, the Madagascar pochard was rediscovered in 2006, and now Durrell, WWT and partners are working hard to restore this species and wetland habitats across Madagascar.

Our Shetland ducks are considered to be one of the rarest breeds. 🦆 Now a critically endangered species, they are thought to have been brought to the UK by the Vikings. Come and meet the Shetland ducks at Northumberland College Zoo. #AnimalOfTheWeek #Northumberland #EPNE #AnimalManagement #Northumberland College is part of Education Partnership North East. | Northumberland College