Zoo hopes critically endangered birds will breed

It is hoped an endangered species of duck in Jersey could breed later this year to help boost its population, the island's zoo said.

Two white-winged ducks have been at Jersey Zoo since the 1970s, and a spokesperson said the species, native to south-east Asia, was at considerable risk of extinction.

The birds are categorised as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which is in charge of the red list of threatened species.

Craig Hilton-Taylor, head of the IUCN Red List unit, said the species was in decline due to pollution and habitat loss.

Jersey Zoo said there were thought to be 150 to 450 of the white-winged ducks left in the wild.

Staff said the species was "one of the rarest ducks in the world".

They added: "Habitat loss, hunting and disturbance have all caused a sharp decline in numbers.

"Jersey Zoo has been integral in helping bolster the captive breeding programme, with many bred over the years."

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