Northern Bald Ibis’s journey back to skies

The Northern Bald Ibis, once a majestic symbol of biodiversity across North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and Europe, faced near extinction by the 17th century.

The Northern Bald Ibis, a species that was hunted nearly to extinction by the 17th century, has seen a resurgence through dedicated breeding and rewilding efforts over the past twenty years, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

These birds, recognized by their striking black-and-iridescent green plumage, bald red head, and long curved beak, lack the innate knowledge of migration routes without guidance from wild-born elders. To address this, a team of scientists and conservationists has stepped in, serving as both foster parents and flight instructors.

“We need to teach them the migration route,” said biologist Johannes Fritz.   The Northern Bald Ibis, once found soaring across North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and much of Europe—including Bavaria in southern Germany—was valued as a delicacy and known as the Waldrapp in German. Overhunted to the brink of extinction by the 17th century, it disappeared from Europe, although a few colonies persisted elsewhere.  

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Fritz and the Waldrappteam, a conservation and research group based in Austria, the Central European population has surged from zero to nearly 300 since the project's inception in 2002. This remarkable achievement has shifted the species' status from “critically endangered” to “endangered.” According to Fritz, this represents the first successful attempt to reintroduce a migratory bird species that had been continentally extinct. Despite their instinctual drive to migrate, Northern Bald Ibises lack the knowledge of where to fly without guidance from wild-born elders. Early reintroduction efforts by the Waldrappteam faced significant challenges, as the birds, without being taught the migration route, often strayed in different directions and perished instead of reaching their intended wintering grounds, such as Tuscany, Italy.  

To address this issue, the Waldrappteam has taken on the roles of both foster parents and flight instructors for the Central European population, which originates from several zoo colonies. This year marks their 17th migration journey, with human-led guides once again leading the way. Due to climate change, they have had to navigate a new route to Spain.   To prepare the chicks for their journey, they are removed from their breeding colonies at just a few days old and placed in an aviary managed by the foster parents. This process, known as "imprinting," involves the chicks forming a bond with their human caregivers, which helps them trust and follow the guides during migration. Barbara Steininger, a foster mother for the Waldrapp team, describes her role as akin to being "their bird mom."   "We feed them, clean their nests, and ensure they stay healthy," she says. "But we also interact with them regularly."  

Steininger and the other foster parents accompany the birds on their migration journey from the back of a microlight aircraft. They wave and shout encouragement through a bullhorn as the aircraft—resembling a flying go-kart with a giant fan and a yellow parachute—navigates the sky. Despite its unusual appearance, the aircraft, piloted by Johannes Fritz, successfully guides the birds over alpine meadows and foothills.   Inspired by Bill Lishman, known for his work with Canadian geese in the late 1980s and 1990s, Fritz and his team have made significant strides.

Lishman’s pioneering efforts led to the creation of "Operation Migration" and inspired the film Fly Away Home, featuring a young girl as the geese’s “mother.”   Fritz’s team has seen success, with the first bird independently migrating back to Bavaria in 2011. Since then, more birds have made the journey, which spans over 550 kilometers (342 miles) each year. The goal is to grow the Central European population to over 350 birds by 2028, achieving a self-sustaining population.  

However, climate change has introduced new challenges, causing the Waldrapp to migrate later in the season. This shift forces them to cross the Alps in colder, more treacherous weather, without the warm air currents that typically assist them in their journey.