International Single Species Action Plan for the Conservation - AEWA

Country Research and Conservation Efforts over the Last Ten Years
Mongolia Main breeding sites are protected. Surveys of the White-headed Duck have been conducted by WWF, the Mongolian Academy of Sciences and
the Wild Bird Society of Japan.
Morocco Key sites protected. Key sites monitored annually.
CMS Technical Series No. 13 AEWA Technical Series No. 8
Ruddy Ducks have been resident in small numbers (up to 17) in Morocco since 1992, breeding was first recorded in 1994 and hybrids have been
observed annually since 1999. Two Ruddy Ducks were shot in Morocco in 1994. A Ruddy Duck eradication strategy was produced in 2004,
although it has yet to be implemented.
Netherlands Ruddy Duck monitoring strategy in place. Around 40 Ruddy Ducks winter in the Netherlands with 4-7 breeding records per year (M. van Roomen
pers. comm.). Some birds are thought to be resident in the Netherlands although some wintering birds may return to breed in the UK. The
Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality has stated that it does not want the Ruddy Duck to establish itself in the Netherlands and they
have the responsibility to prevent this (M. van Roomen pers. comm.). The new law on the protection of flora and fauna (which supersedes the old
hunting law) gives permission to landowners where Ruddy Ducks occur to remove them without permit (although no birds have yet been shot),
however no disturbance of other protected species should occur. When eggs are found it is permitted to destroy them. Wintering birds can be
hunted. At present the Ministry believes that these measures will prevent the Ruddy Duck from becoming established in the Netherlands. By
December 2004, a policy paper on exotic species will be published, including recommendations regarding the regulation of keeping invasive
exotic species. At present more active regulation of the Ruddy Ducks in the wild in the Netherlands is regarded as pointless with so many birds
still present in captivity (with the resulting risk of escapes) and with the ongoing risk of immigration from the UK.
Norway The small numbers of Ruddy Ducks reaching Norway are closely monitored, but no control currently takes place. It is illegal to keep Ruddy
Ducks in captivity in Norway without a permit. Such permits have not and will not be granted (T. Bø in litt. 1997).
Pakistan Key sites protected. Management plan for Ucchali wetland complex produced by WWF-Pakistan and Punjab Wildlife & Parks Department in
1994 (revised by the Department in 1999). Government has initiated a GEF/UNDP project for “Conservation of wetlands in Pakistan” in 2005.
Wetland awareness campaigns conducted by Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department and WWF-Pakistan. CMS funded surveys at Ucchali wetland
complex in 2002. WWF-Pakistan funded survey of historically important sites in Punjab in winter 2002-2003 found 33 White-headed Ducks on
four sites. Surveys by the zoology department of Punjab University and independently by Kashif Sheikh in 1998, 1999 and 2000.
Portugal Ruddy Duck monitoring strategy in place. National eradication strategy in place and a control team operational since 1994. One Ruddy Duck and
two hybrids were shot between 1995 and 2000.
Romania Some key sites protected (e.g. Danube Delta). Joint Greek, Romanian, Turkish and Bulgarian conservation project conducted in 2001/2002 which
aimed to monitor the winter population; and determine the level of bycatch in fishing nets. Launching a LIFE III project for the conservation of
the key wintering (breeding?) site in 2004. Will include: site conservation, pollution control, hunting ban in the area, etc. Documentation in
preparation for legal protection under national law and for SPA designation of the site.
Russian Federation Some key sites protected, though mainly as non-hunting areas or “Zakazniks”. Regular monitoring of summer numbers and distribution being
conducted in the Chelyabinsk, Volgograd and Daghestan Regions.
Slovenia Ruddy Duck monitoring strategy in place. Only 1 Ruddy Duck record.
International Single Species Action Plan for the Conservation of the White-headed Duck 41