Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) works to conserve wildfowl and their habitats in the UK and internationally through the work of its dedicated and knowledgeable team.

WWT is working with the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Asity Madagascar and the Madagascan government to prevent the extinction of the endemic Madagascar Pochard. At its lowest point, there were an estimated 25 birds left in the world, on a single lake. Between 1996 and 2006 it was thought the species had been lost forever. Upon their rediscovery in 2006, a captive breeding centre was established at a remote volcanic lake in the North of Madagascar to prevent the Pochard’s extinction. This now holds almost 100 birds (more than quadrupling the global population).

Madagascar has some of the most degraded wetlands in the world: 60% have been lost since the late 20th Century. WWT and its partners work with local communities and the Madagascan government to promote good wetlands management, highlighting the importance of freshwater systems for people and wildlife. By helping villagers understand how healthy ecosystems improve their quality of life, livelihoods and life chances, WWT is building strong partnerships with local people and has helped to restore Lake Sofia, where captive-bred Madagascar Pochards will be returned to the wild.

Synchronicity Earth has been supporting the Madagascar Pochard project through WWT since 2012.