A subspecies of the brown teal, the small and flightless Campbell Island teal is critically endangered, making it one of the world's rarest ducks. They are a subantarctic teal, along with the Auckland Island teal.
Campbell Island is one of five subantarctic island groups found south to south-east of New Zealand, all honoured with World Heritage status in 1998. The islands contain the most diverse community of seabirds in the world, along with a significant population of breeding southern right whales.
The Campbell Island teal were driven from the island by rats over 200 years ago, and the island once had the world's highest density of Norway rats. It was vital that the rats be eradicated before the teal could be returned to their likely former range. The rat eradication was completed, and from 2004 captive bred Campbell Island teal began to be released on the island.
The remaining Campbell Island teal in captivity are held for advocacy only, and the teal on the island are now considered to be self sustaining. Paradise Valley Springs is one of a few places in New Zealand to hold Campbell Island teal.
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