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Central Park Zoo Breeds Scores of Endangered Waterfowl

By Trevor Kapp | October 16, 2013 4:32pm
 Eight rare or endangered species of birds have produced chicks in Central Park so far this year.
Breeding Program in Central Park Saves Endangered Waterfowl
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CENTRAL PARK — Central Park Zoo is turning into a Duck Dynasty — minus the hunting.

Endangered ducks from across the world have produced scores of chicks within its 4.6-acre confines this year under its waterfowl breeding program, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society.

The zoo's hatchery — started four years ago — has become increasingly more successful. Zookeepers have hatched chicks from eight rare or endangered species of ducks.

Among these are nine scaly-sided mergansers, endangered sea ducks native to Russia, China and Korea, and the pink-eared duck, native to Australia.

The zoo has 23 different duck species on exhibit as well as the largest public sea duck collection.