Native duck species at risk of disappearing, conservationists warn

Pacific black ducks are facing an existential threat in Tasmania, conservationists say. (Supplied: Eric J Woehler) A Tasmanian conservation group is working to save the state's native Pacific black duck population from being displaced by hybrid ducks. Crossbreeding with introduced domestic mallards has devastated the species in New Zealand, and experts warn Tasmania could face the same outcome without intervention. The Pacific Black Duck Conservation Group says the problem can be solved with cooperation between communities and local and state governments. Link copiedShareShare articleA native duck species could quietly disappear from Tasmania without intervention, according to conservationists. The Pacific black duck is under threat from hybridisation with introduced domestic mallard ducks, a process experts say has already wiped out populations in New Zealand, as well as Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island in Australia. Hybrid ducks are increasingly appearing across Tasmania, raising concerns that the native species could eventually be bred out altogether. The species is under threat from hybridisation with introduced domestic mallard ducks, a process experts say has already wiped out populations in New Zealand. (Supplied: Eric J Woehler) Jason Graham from the Pacific Black Duck Conservation Group, a volunteer group with Landcare Tasmania, said the issue could accelerate quickly if left unchecked. "Hybrids born in one area can just slowly, or quite rapidly in some cases, just completely replace the Pacific black duck," Mr Graham said. Despite the fate of the species in New Zealand, Mr Graham was optimistic Tasmania could avoid the same outcome, if action was undertaken. "Once it crosses a certain point, there's no coming back." For those wanting to keep ducks on their properties, it is recommended Muscovy ducks and guinea fowls, which don't pose the same hybridisation risk as mallards. (ABC Rural: Luke Radford) Brenda Greene, from New Zealand conservation organisation Forest and Bird, said mallards, first introduced to the country for hunting, had "effectively wiped out" native Pacific black ducks in New Zealand. She said, while there still may be small pockets of pure Pacific black ducks, referred to as grey ducks across the ditch, it was difficult to know how many were left because of their similarity to hybrids. She said any prospect of reversing that had long passed. Hybrid ducks are increasingly able to be spotted across Tasmania. (ABC News: Jake Grant) Bird ecologist Dr Eric Woehler said while there was no accurate data on the numbers of hybrid ducks around Tasmania, it was clear the state was seeing the same interference by the mallard with the Pacific black duck as in New Zealand. "Because the hybrids are so close in many respects, it's very easy for this process to continue, essentially, without being noticed." He said it would be "nigh on impossible" to stop the process completely, but that extinction could be prevented with a dedicated effort and adequate resources. Pacific black ducks can inherit aggressive traits when they mate with introduced species. (ABC News: Jake Grant) Mr Graham said one of the easiest and most effective things people could do to help was not feed ducks in public areas. He said doing so encouraged Pacific black ducks to hang around areas where feeding occurred, and coexist with mallards. "Anyone can help just by not feeding ducks and just enjoying ducks by watching them, just trying to spot the different species." Tasmanian duck hunters believe their shooting shelters, known as hides, are being burnt down by protesters. Mr Graham said most of Tasmania's Pacific black ducks lived in council reserves, and that councils had a role to play in removing mallards and hybrid birds from waterways, to make sure they didn't get a chance to breed further with native ducks. He also encouraged responsible duck ownership, including not illegally releasing or dumping unwanted ducks, and keeping free-roaming ducks contained. For those wanting to keep ducks on their properties, he recommended Muscovy ducks and guinea fowls, which don't pose the same hybridisation risk as mallards.

Native duck species at risk of disappearing, conservationists warn

Key takeaways

More in international