Assam gets endangered ducks from Czech Republic zoo

We welcome them back to their home, Kumar said.The bird species was earlier found across the South East Asian countries and northeastern India. A small population of the species also lives in the Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh.

Two pairs of globally endangered White Winged Wood Duck, the state bird of Assam, have been brought here from a zoo in Czech Republic, a forest department official said on Monday.

The birds, bred in captivity, arrived on Sunday and have been quarantined at the Assam State Zoo here for a mandatory period, Divisional Forest Officer, Assam State Zoo, Dr Ashwini Kumar, said.

"Several people and organisations have helped us in providing us with the two beautiful pairs of the species and worked against all odds to ensure that the birds are safely transported to Assam. We welcome them back to their home," Kumar said.

The bird species was earlier found across the South East Asian countries and northeastern India. It is the state bird of Assam and now only 800 to 1,000 of them survive globally, of which 450 are found in India, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Environment and Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya said that it is "homecoming of our very own white-winged wood duck and these two rare endangered pairs of beautiful species will be the cynosure of all eyes".

In Assam, it is called the 'deo-hanh' (divine duck), and found in the key protected areas of Nameri National Park, Dibru Saikhowa National Park and the recently upgraded Dihing Patkai National Park. A small population of the species also lives in the Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh.