Mandarin ducklings forage together in the waters of Taiziwan Park in Hangzhou. [Photo by Yang Xiaoxuan/Tide News]

Sixteen mandarin ducklings at Hangzhou's Taiziwan Park are growing strong and are expected to take their first flight soon, with their survival rate reaching a record high.

The two broods, hatched on April 30 and May 5, originally had 18 ducklings. After nearly 45 days of growth, 16 remain healthy — a remarkable achievement compared with the roughly 50 percent survival rate for wild ducklings.

The success is credited to the combination of a favorable natural habitat, careful park management and the dedication of the West Lake Mandarin Duck Protection Volunteers. Rich aquatic plants provide food, while park staff and volunteers conduct regular patrols and monitoring to ensure the ducklings' safety.

The young ducks have also become a popular attraction, often approaching visitors without fear. Volunteers remind tourists to admire them from a distance and avoid feeding or disturbing them, allowing the ducklings to grow independently in nature.

The thriving mandarin duck family has become a symbol of how Hangzhou manages to strike a harmonic balance between urban life and wildlife protection, adding another charming scene to the West Lake landscape.

Growing up healthy, the ducklings are preparing for their maiden flight. [Photo by Yang Xiaoxuan/Tide News]