The Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy is currently working with four species of waterfowl that are either endangered or rare in the wild or uncommon in private collections in North America. They include the Meller's Duck, the White-headed Duck, the Bewick's Swan, and the Swan Goose.

The Meller's Duck is an endangered dabbling duck endemic to the island of Madagascar. It is a little brown duck similar in size to the mallard, and the plumage of both sexes resembles that of a female mallard, although a much darker brown. The speculum is iridescent, with a green sheen.

The population of this species is very approximately estimated at 2,000-4,000 and is declining. Classified as endangered (meaning that it faces a high risk of extinction in the wild) by the World Conservation Union, its decline has been attributed to habitat conversion, degradation of water quality following deforestation with resultant siltation and subsistence hunting. Efforts to enhance the wild population are underway, including captive breeding programs and field research projects. LRWC is working in conjunction with the Durrell Wildlife Center to establish a captive management program for this endangered species among AZA institutions in North America.

The White-headed Duck is native to the Mediterranean region where it is losing ground to a unique foe. In 1968, a small flock of captive North American Ruddy Ducks escaped from a captive management breeding program in England and began to flourish in this region. In this new environment, the Ruddy Duck prospered and began infiltrating the White-headed Ducks' habitat. Unfortunately, being closely related, the two species quickly began to hybridize. The hybrid offspring proved fertile and continued to interbreed, a factor which over time has reduced the White-headed Duck's gene pool. It is difficult in some White-headed Ducks' habitats to find genetically pure individuals.

White-headed Ducks have yellow-brown bodies with long dark tail feathers. The head is white with a dark crown. Females have two distinct black lines through their cheeks. Both males and females have a long, broad bill, with large swellings at the base. The most distinct feature of the species is the bright, sky-blue bill of the breeding males.

LRWC maintains multiple pairs of White-headed Ducks for breeding. In the future, it is hoped that their offspring can be used to establish a captive management program among AZA institutions in North America.

The Bewick's Swan is a small northern swan reminiscent of both the Whooper and Whistling Swans. The all-white body is complemented with a multi-colored bill of black, yellow, and red. Juvenile birds are light gray until they reach breeding age at three years of age.

Wild populations of the species are stable, but the captive population is limited in North America. Prior to the importation of these swans by LRWC, there were no Bewick's Swans in North America. With newly imported bloodlines, plans are underway to establish the Bewick's Swan in North American waterfowl collections as an attraction for viewers who might otherwise never see this beautiful swan.

The Swan Goose is a native to Russia, China, and Mongolia. Once numerous throughout these regions, wild populations have drastically declined in the second half of the 20th century.Excessive hunting during migration, land reclamations, man-induced grassland fires and increasing disturbances to breeding grounds have contributed to their demise. In Russia, fewer than 200 breeding pairs inhabit historical breeding areas. Like the Meller's and White-headed Ducks, Swan Geese are classified as endangered by Birdlife International. In captivity, this species has been severely hybridized with domestic geese, and a limited number of pure blooded Swan Geese remain.

LRWC is working with the Moscow Zoo, the International Swan Goose Task Force and conservation officials in Muraviovka Park located in Russia's Amur River Basin to reintroduce this species within the Park and to encourage geese to establish breeding grounds within its boundaries. Once established in the Park, it is hoped that this species will inhabit other regions in the Amur River Basin.