Reviving the Northern Bald Ibis: Pioneering Conservation Efforts Restore Lost Migration Paths
- August 30, 2024
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
Reviving the Northern Bald Ibis: Pioneering Conservation Efforts Restore Lost Migration Paths
Sub: Env
Sec: Species in news
Why in News
Conservationists have successfully increased the population of the once-extinct northern bald ibis in central Europe through innovative rewilding and breeding programs. This breakthrough not only signifies a major triumph in avian conservation but also offers a replicable model to address the broader impacts of climate change on migratory bird species.
Northern Bald Ibis
Scientific Name: Geronticus eremita
Historical Range: Once widespread across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.
17th Century Decline: Intensive hunting led to near extinction in the wild.
IUCN Status: Endangered.
Physical Characteristics: Distinctive black-and-green plumage, bald red head, and long curved beak.
Current Population: Approximately 1,000 individuals in the wild.
Key Locations: Morocco (wild population), Austria, Germany, Italy (reintroduced populations).
Habitat: Prefers arid and semi-arid regions, rocky habitats, and cliffs.
Diet: Primarily insects, small reptiles, and other invertebrates.
Migratory Behaviour: Undertakes seasonal migrations; current efforts to restore lost migratory routes in Europe.
Conservation Efforts: Breeding programs, rewilding initiatives, and migration training using ultralight aircraft.
Presence in India: Not found in the wild in India.
| Waldrap (German Name for Northern Bald Ibis) Name Origin: “Waldrap” is the German term for the Northern Bald Ibis. Conservation Program: Waldrappteam, based in Austria, leads the efforts to reintroduce and guide migration in Europe. Significance in Germany: Breeding and reintroduction efforts in Bavaria, Germany, as part of the conservation strategy. Migration Route: Historic and newly established migration routes between Bavaria, Italy, and Spain. |
Conservation Efforts and Population Recovery
Breeding and Rewilding Initiatives
- Leadership: Biologist Johannes Fritz and the Waldrappteam based in Austria.
- Population Growth: Increased from zero to nearly 300 individuals in central Europe since 2002.
Adapting to Climate Change
Global warming threatens plant and animal species around the world.
For migratory birds that undertake lengthy journeys to find ideal ecological conditions and habitats for feeding, breeding, and raising their young, climate change poses particular challenges.
Studies show global warming is altering migration patterns, both routes and timing, exposing birds to new environments and conditions, affecting availability of food and habitat, and disrupting interactions between species. Some bird species have chosen not to migrate altogether, or to migrate to locations where they become invasive species, posing threats to others.
New Migration Routes
- Initial Route: Bavaria to Tuscany (approximately 550 km).
- Expanded Route: Bavaria to Andalusia in southern Spain (about 2,800 km), initiated to counteract climate challenges.
- Ongoing Efforts: A larger route allows birds to avoid colder periods and benefit from more stable atmospheric conditions.
Broader Implications for Conservation
Blueprint for Other Species: The methods developed for the northern bald ibis can be applied to other migratory birds facing similar challenges.
Climate Resilience: Establishing guided migration routes can help species adapt to shifting ecological landscapes.
| Bavaria: A federal state in southeastern Germany known for its rich cultural heritage, scenic landscapes, and the Alps. The starting point for the reintroduction and migration training of the Northern Bald Ibis. Conservationists in Bavaria have successfully established a new population of the species and initiated the migration routes. | Tuscany: A region in central Italy renowned for its rolling hills, historic cities, and significant cultural and artistic legacy. The traditional wintering ground for the Northern Bald Ibis in Central Europe. The birds were historically guided to this region as part of their migration, and initial rewilding efforts focused on this route. | Andalusia: A region in southern Spain known for its Moorish architecture, flamenco culture, and the Sierra Nevada mountains. A newer, longer migration route to Andalusia was established to adapt to climate change, providing a safer and warmer wintering habitat for the Northern Bald Ibis. This route is crucial for the survival of the species in light of changing environmental conditions. |