Northern Bald Ibis Reintroduction

Northern Bald Ibis Reintroduction A Conservation Success Story Spanning Europe

The Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita) is an iconic bird species that disappeared from Central Europe in the 17th century due to excessive hunting. Today, thanks to extensive conservation efforts led by Austrian organizations, the Northern Bald Ibis reintroduction has become one of Europe’s most successful species recovery projects. The effort focuses on restoring migratory populations across Austria, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland.

Austria’s Leading Role in the Northern Bald Ibis Recovery

Austria has played a crucial role in the Northern Bald Ibis conservation and reintroduction efforts. The Austrian-based Waldrappteam has pioneered the human-led migration technique, where juvenile birds are guided along migratory routes using ultralight aircraft. Breeding colonies in Austria, such as those at Rosegg Zoo in Carinthia and Kuchl in Salzburg, have been vital in raising and preparing these birds for migration.

A Long Journey to Northern Bald Ibis Reintroduction

Between 2014 and 2019, the first major success in the Northern Bald Ibis reintroduction came during the LIFE+ project (LIFE+12 – BIO_AT_000143), with 142 birds successfully reintroduced across three breeding colonies, including key sites in Austria. Despite this achievement, further analysis indicated that the population still needed to grow to become self-sustaining. To address this, a second LIFE Northern Bald Ibis project was launched in 2022, aiming to grow the population to over 260 birds by 2028. Austria remains a central player in this conservation success story, providing both technical expertise and funding.

Human-Led Migrations and Austria’s Central Role

A distinctive feature of the Northern Bald Ibis reintroduction is the use of human-led migrations. Juvenile ibises are guided from Austrian and German breeding colonies to their wintering grounds by following ultralight aircraft. The Austrian-led Waldrappteam has perfected this method over 20 years. The daily flights now cover up to 300 kilometers and help the birds learn essential migration routes. Initially, the migration led to the WWF sanctuary Laguna di Orbetello in southern Tuscany.

In 2023, the migration route expanded to Andalusia, Spain. This journey is three times longer than the original, demonstrating the adaptability of the Northern Bald Ibis conservation strategy. In 2024, around 35 hand-raised chicks will be guided to Andalusia, where they will integrate with a sedentary population.

Establishing a New Migratory Tradition

Austria’s role in human-led migrations is essential. The chicks, raised at Austrian breeding centers like Rosegg Zoo, bond closely with their human foster parents, who guide them during migration. The birds learn migration routes that will help them return unaided to breeding colonies in the future, creating a sustainable migratory tradition.

The 2024 migration to Andalusia is a key milestone. Once released, the birds will integrate with local populations and return northward as subadults. These efforts aim to establish a self-sustaining Northern Bald Ibis population in Europe.

Addressing Conservation Challenges in Austria

Austria has been proactive in tackling threats to the Northern Bald Ibis. Electrocution, one of the species’ leading causes of death, has been reduced significantly by retrofitting high-risk pylons in key breeding areas. This effort, coordinated with Austrian power companies in Salzburg, Upper Austria, and Carinthia, has proven effective in safeguarding the species. These measures also benefit other large bird species.

Efforts to combat illegal hunting, particularly in Italy, have been highly successful. Austrian-led collaborations and legal initiatives have helped reduce poaching losses by nearly half. The project continues working toward further reductions in poaching to protect the species.

Looking Ahead to a Sustainable Future for the Northern Bald Ibis

By 2028, the goal is to have a self-sustaining population of more than 260 Northern Bald Ibises migrating between breeding grounds in Austria and their wintering sites in Tuscany and Andalusia. Austria’s leadership in conservation efforts and innovative migration strategies has been central to the success of this species recovery project. The country’s expertise has helped make the Northern Bald Ibis reintroduction one of Europe’s most remarkable conservation achievements.