A comeback after 300 Years by Northern Bald Ibis

 Ancient bald Bird, makes a comeback in Europe after 300 years   

 With its glossy black feathers and curved beak, this bird once roamed across continents and held cultural significance in ancient times, even featuring in Egyptian hieroglyphs to symbolise "spirit." After centuries of decline, concerted conservation efforts have led to a remarkable resurgence of the Northern Bald Ibis in Europe. The remaining wild population of northern bald ibises is primarily found in Morocco. After over three centuries of absence in Europe, the northern bald ibis, once thought to exist only in drawings, has made a comeback. This bird, with its glossy plumage and distinctive curved beak, once thrived across three continents and held symbolic significance in ancient cultures, where it even had its own hieroglyph symbolising the word "spirit."  Now, thanks to dedicated conservation efforts, this bird is finding its way back into its old habitats.

By the late 20th century, the northern bald ibis population had shrunk to just 59 breeding pairs, all confined to Morocco. Human activities such as hunting, habitat destruction and pesticide use brought this species to the brink of extinction. Yet, through dedicated conservation efforts, the northern bald ibis is now clawing its way back from near oblivion. Conservation programmes in Morocco have since been instrumental in helping the species recover. These birds, which prefer to nest in cliffs, rocky outcrops and even urban ruins, are adaptive foragers. Their diet consists mainly of insects and larvae, though they are forced to adapt to the remote and changing nature of their habitats.

The remaining wild population of northern bald ibises is primarily found in Morocco, where conservation initiatives have stabilised their numbers. In 1991, the establishment of the Souss-Massa National Park in Morocco provided the ibis with much-needed protection for its breeding and feeding habitats. A research programme launched in 1994 helped monitor the population, leading to a significant recovery. The population, once dwindling, has now grown to over 500 individuals. In response, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) downgraded the bird's status from "critically endangered" to "endangered." The ibis is an adaptable forager, feeding mainly on insects and larvae, and has proven resilient in the face of its changing environment.

Comeback in Europe

Though the Moroccan population was always thriving, the species long disappeared from its European range. Projects to reintroduce the northern bald ibis to Europe have now begun yielding results. One of the most notable efforts is underway in Spain, where a programme in Andalusia has successfully reintroduced birds into the wild. Hand-reared by human 'parents,' the chicks are gradually released into their natural habitat. This initiative, which began in 2004, has helped re-establish the species in southern Europe. Efforts to reintroduce the northern bald ibis to Europe, where it once thrived, are now showing success. The birds, reared by human caregivers, are gradually released into their natural habitat, giving new hope for the species' long-term survival.

In Austria and Germany, a programme led by Austrian biologist Johannes Fritz is taking a unique approach to reintroducing a migratory population. The birds, raised in captivity and lacking the knowledge of migratory routes, are taught to migrate by following a tiny aircraft. As the ultra light aircraft soars through the sky, human foster parents cheer and wave from the back, offering encouragement to the birds in flight. At the controls is Fritz, piloting the aircraft equipped with a small fan motor at the rear and a yellow parachute to keep it airborne. Since 2003, Fritz and his team have guided northern bald ibises from Germany to southern Europe in this manner. The birds now follow a route which has recently been adjusted. Due to environmental changes, their migration route now ends in Spain.

Challenges 

While conservation efforts have brought some success, the northern bald ibis still faces a few challenges. Threats such as poaching, pesticides and climate change continue to jeopardise their survival. The changing climate is also forcing the ibises to adjust their migration patterns, and the timing of their journeys has had to shift to account for altered environmental conditions. In 2023 alone, 17 per cent of the European migratory population was lost due to illegal hunting. Continued conservation work is essential to ensure the survival of this ancient and resilient species. The northern bald ibis’ return to Europe is a testament to the power of conservation, proving that even species on the brink of extinction can make a comeback with dedicated effort.