Northern bald ibis species protection project

Working hard for the Northern bald ibis

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The Northern bald ibis (NBI) is one of the most highly endangered bird species in the world. It was extirpated in Europe in the 17^th century. Schönbrunn Zoo has supported the efforts to study and reintroduce this fascinating bird since the onset of this project in 2002. The NBI is a migratory bird. It needs to learn its flight route to the overwintering grounds from its parents within the first year of its life. This flight tradition, however, was lost with last free-living NBI in Europe. In the framework of a new LIFE project, three new breeding colonies are being founded in Goldau (Switzerland), Bussolengo (Italy) and in Rosegg (Austria) in addition to the three previously established colonies in Austria and Germany.

Measures

Chicks that hatch in zoos are hand-raised and therefore imprinted on human foster parents. These foster parents then show the birds the flight route – as co-pilots in ultralight airplanes (human-led migration). The trip takes them to suitable wintering grounds. At an age of two to three years, the NBI can migrate independently to the brooding grounds and brood there: they can then take their own young down south and in consequence establish a new migratory tradition.

In 2022, a total of 57 juvenile birds was released into the wild. By now, the region of the Alps is home to 201 Northern Bald Ibises. The goal is to increase the population to 357 individuals. According to calculations, this amount is needed for the species to survive independently in the future. The hard work and dedication of all partners of the EU-funded LIFE project led by Schönbrunn Zoo still is the only chance for preserving this bizarre bird in its´natural habitat for future generations. The project‘s motto „Reason for Hope“ is no coincidence: In 2022, 46 young birds have already hatched and fledged in the wild – they are the offspring of Northern Bald Ibises that were re-introduced througout the last years.

Two of the major causes of mortality in the free-flying population are poaching (in Italy) and electrocution at unsafe overhead powerlines (in Austria). In order to protect and to study NBI which hatch in the wild long term, many individuals are being equipped with small transponders. The GPS signals emitted by those birds, allow us to follow their migration routes continuously via the App „Animal Tracker“.

This is how Schönbrunn Zoo is supporting the project:

• Coordinating the project „LIFE Northern Bald Ibis“ (LIFE20 NAT/AT/000049 – LIFE NBI) with 9 project partners
• Providing infrastructure for food preparation, chick hand-raising as well as accompanying public relations measures
• Presentation of the project during guided tours and events
• Zoo director Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck and the zoo’s curator for conservation, Regina Kramer, are on the board of the bald ibis team sponsorship association
• Captive breeding
• financial support

This is what our partners have to say:

Johannes Fritz, director of the “Waldrappteam Conservation & Research”: "Our work would hardly be possible and the survival of the NBI in grave doubt without the international, stable zoo population. Schönbrunn Zoo is therefore a crucial partner for the success of our species protection project, both as a resource for chicks and as an important funder. Our combined efforts can help ensure that the NBI once again returns to parts of its historical range.”

Peter Rapp, honorary NBI patron:
 The show host Peter Rapp has a soft spot for this bird (whose German name – Waldrapp – shares the same word root). He is an honorary patron of Schönbrunn Zoo’s Northern bald ibises and, together with the zoo, is helping to draw attention to the reintroduction project. In Peter Rapp’s own words: “Their curved beaks, bald head and black feather crest makes these birds look quite odd, and I have a soft spot for odd fellows.”

Scientific publications on the bald ibis: