In 2004, a rare Madagascar duck was declared extinct – but after a flock was found on a remote lake, Durrell conservationists spent long days carrying eggs to breed in captivity, surveying lakes where a population could thrive, and working with local communities.
Durrell’s field programmes director Chris Ransom sat down with Express to talk about the rescue.
After finding Lake Sofia, conservationists from Durrell and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust released a flock of Madagascar ducks, hoping they would make their new home there.
And that’s what they did – until a flood caused the lake to break its banks and flow into the stream below. Lake Sofia was reduced to a 40cm-deep puddle.
To try and bring back the lake – and with it, water supply for people living nearby as well as a habitat for birds – conservationists built a dam.
The ducks, Mr Ransom said, are now starting to breed again – a sure sign that they are doing well.