Sharjah: Nine marbled teal chicks hatched this May at the Wasit Wetland Centre in Sharjah.
The hatchings, which are the first breeding of marbled teals in the UAE and at the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) in Sharjah, are a result of continued efforts to protect and breed endangered species to ensure biological equilibrium in the ecosystem.
The centre reported that the parent birds hatched nine ducklings without assistance and are currently raising them by themselves.
“The centre is an important addition in protecting rare animals and birds and in giving scientists and researchers the opportunity and resources to study the life and breeding of birds and, in turn, learn how to protect them from extinction,” said Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, chairperson of EPAA in Sharjah.
There is thought to be a global population of between 50,000 and 55,000 marble teals currently. However, pressures such as habitat destruction and hunting mean they have been classified as ‘vulnerable’ by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List.
From Northern Africa, Northern Arabia and into the West and Southern Asia, the marbled teal has a fragmented distribution in the wild.
Described as small ducks with grey marbled plumage, marbled teals like brackish and fresh water pools with vegetation in arid countries. Currently, there is a growing population of the bird in Southern Iraq, which is thought to be due to wetlands restoration.
“The hatching of nine marbled teal chicks is a significant development in terms of helping to build the captive population and assist in maintaining its genetic diversity and is testament to the efforts of the Wasit Wetland Centre to protect this vulnerable species,” added Al Suwaidi.
