2018 seems to be ending on a good note for the environment. After the United Nations noted that there was a significant revival in the ozone layer following years of depletion, it is a rare bird that has come back to the wild. Madagascan pochard is a species of duck which was believed to be extinct for over a decade. However, finally, it has made a comeback!

Which was once referred to them as the world's rarest bird has been rescued, take utmost care and was released into its natural habitat. Recovery of the birds is also a first step towards protecting Madagascar's threatened wetlands. 21 such birds were released in the north of Madagascar earlier this month. Madagascar pochard was believed to have been wiped out of nature for 15 years now. World's Most Beautiful Bird Mandarin Duck Graces New York City's Central Park (See Pictures)

Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, The Peregrine Fund and the Government of Madagascar were involved in the release of these birds. The ducks were bred in a specially-constructed floating aviary with the help of communities living near Lake Sofia in Madagascar. 60 Percent of Earth's Wildlife Has Been Lost, We Are the 'Last Generation' That Can Save Nature, Says WWF.

BBC quoted WWT's Nigel Jarrett as saying, "It takes a village to raise a child, so the old African proverb goes - but in this case, it has taken a village to raise a duck. We have been preparing for this moment for over a decade. Working with local communities to solve the issues which were driving this bird to extinction has been essential to giving the pochard a chance of survival."

There were feeding stations, floating rafts installed in the lake for the birds, training them to find food from underwater. Earlier this month, they were released from the aviaries and have now started diving, flying and returning home at night. The place where these birds have been released are only accessible for three months a year. Wetlands across the world have been polluted terribly forcing water birds and those living in wetlands to leave the habitat.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 29, 2018 10:20 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).