Louisville Zoo Hatches Critically Endangered Baer's Pochard Ducks
The Louisville Zoo announced the successful hatching of two Baer's pochard ducklings, a critically endangered species, with arrivals on May 29. (Pronunciation: "Bears Poach Erd")
"The arrival of a critically endangered species is rare and meaningful. It's a triumph for conservation and a testament to what's possible when biology, stewardship, and love for wildlife come together." — Zoo Director Dan Maloney
The two ducklings and their parents can be viewed in the Steller's Sea Eagle aviary at Glacier Run. Named after Estonian naturalist Karl Ernst von Baer, these rare ducks inhabit East Asia. Their wild diet includes insects, mollusks, shrimp, fish, algae, and plants. At the Zoo, they consume waterfowl pellets, greens, and insects.
About Baer's Pochard Ducks
Baer's pochard ducks are diving ducks living in small lakes, rivers, and streams. Both parents care for young for approximately three weeks before molting. The IUCN Red List classifies them as critically endangered due to hunting and destruction of Asian wetlands. Their populations have declined by an estimated 97% over the past three decades.
The Louisville Zoo's successful hatching represents a significant milestone for the captive breeding program and offers hope for the species' future. The Zoo participates in AZA Species Survival Plan® programs that coordinate genetic management across accredited institutions.
