Today we caught up 3 of our 4 Meller's Ducks (Anas melleri) for transport to a new facility in Norfolk. This endangered species from Madagascar has benefited tremendously from 'ex-situ' breeding in captivity at zoological institutions participating in the species breeding program. The Isle of Wight Zoo received a breeding pair of Meller's Ducks of which successfully bred and produced one male and one female ducklings. To maximise genetic diversity, our female, who will stay at the Isle of Wight Zoo, has now been selected to be paired with another male for future breeding. The previous male and the two offspring will be sent off to a non-breeding facility in the meantime until the studbook asseses and allocates how best to use these individuals in the breeding program.
After a brief entertaining period of the ducks testing the keepers reaction times and catching skills the three ducks were caught and they are now ready for transport tomorrow. Pictured below is one of our primate keepers Amy with the final duck to be caught, the original breeding male we had (minus a few tail feathers from the catching process!)
The day started out cloudy and dull but the afternoon brought some wonderful sunshine with which I managed to grab a great family portrait of our Black Spider Monkeys (Ateles fusciceps). From left: Mother Ellie; Daughter Millie and Father Tino.
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