Louisville Zoo has successful hatching
of two endangered Meller’s ducklings                                

Zoo’s bird program successful at breeding endangered birds

Louisville Zoo recently hatched two Meller’s ducklings, one of the world’s rarest and least know species of wildfowl. They are the first Meller’s ducks ever born at the Zoo. There are only about 2,000 Meller’s ducks left in the wild (in Madagascar) and 150 in zoos worldwide.

Meller’s ducks are one of only three duck species that are naturally found nowhere else in the world but on the island of Madagascar. It is thought to be the second most endangered of the three species—the most endangered is the Madagascar teal. (In May, the Zoo also hatched the first Madagascar teal ever born at the Louisville Zoo.)

The Meller’s eggs were found by a keeper while doing daily routine cleaning of the parent’s off-exhibit area. They were immediately taken to an incubator in the Zoo’s bird rearing area. The incubation period for a Meller’s duck is 26 days.

A male Meller’s duckling was born on July 14 and named John after John Hartley, the first person to start a captive breeding program to save the bird. The program began at the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust on the island of Jersey, which is part of the British Isles.

A second Meller’s duckling was born on August 4 and its gender is yet to be determined.

The ducklings were born to a pair that arrived at the Zoo in 2006. They are currently off exhibit in a bird rearing area and eating grain, hard boiled eggs, insects and vitamin supplements three times a day. They will eventually be moved to another zoo and introduced to mates.

“We are very excited about the hatching of these ducklings,” Louisville Zoo Bird Curator Gary Michael said. “We have tremendous pride in being able to get ‘hard to breed’ duck species like the Meller’s ducks and Madagascar teals to reproduce. We work relentlessly to make sure everything is perfect to make that possible. It involves a combination of science, art and a little bit of luck. I am proud that the Louisville Zoo is involved in conservation to save these extraordinary animals from extinction.”

The main factors causing these ducks to be endangered in the wild are the loss of habitat, degradation of wetlands and hunting.

 “These ducklings contribute to the conservation of birds worldwide as well as the Louisville Zoo’s mission of bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals and leadership in animal conservation.”

***

MELLER’S DUCKS

Although some say they looks like rather boring brown birds, Meller’s ducks are one of the world’s most endangered species. These shy ducks have a rapidly declining population due to the loss of habitat, degradation of wetlands and hunting.

For more information on Meller’s ducks, visit www.durrell.org/Animals/Birds/Mellers-Duck.

 

***

MADAGASCAR TEAL

In May, the Zoo also hatched the first Madagascar teal ever born at the Louisville Zoo. Named Gerry, the Madagascar duckling is now a fledging bird that has achieved close to adult weight and living independently. Gerry will eventually be moved to another zoo and introduced to a mate. To read more about Gerry, visit http://www.louisvillezoo.org/news/press/MR/MR%2009-06-16_duck.htm.

For more information on Madagascar Teals, visit www.durrell.org/Animals/Birds/Madagascar-Teal.

 

Photo of Meller's duckling by Kara Bussabarger, The Louisville Zoo