³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

Wildlife experts at Pensthorpe have successfully reared two white-headed ducks which are under threat of becoming extinct.

Last year the Pensthorpe Conservation Trust took delivery of five male and three female white-headed ducks to form the basis of a captive breeding conservation programme.Ìý

The white-headed duck has been classified as globally threatened and this year, experts at Pensthorpe have reared two youngsters that have also produced fertile eggs - which is of conservation significance in trying to rescue the species from extinction.

Nature conservation organisations such as the Royal Society For The Protection Of Birds believe that without help, the white-headed duck will have died out within 20 years.

The population of this charismatic duck has decreased from 100,000 birds at the beginning of the 20th century.Ìý

In the 1980s a survey was carried out in Spain by Pensthorpe's previous owner, Bill Makins and his friend and fellow conservationist Tom Gullick.ÌýTheir survey showed only 20 pairs of white-headed ducks, mostly on El Zona in Spain.Ìý

As a result of the survey they were able to persuade the Spanish government to give the birds total protection. By working closely with leading Spanish conservationists, they helped to increase the wild population, which today is estimated to number around 15,000 birds.Ìý