Rare northern bald ibis take flight in human-led European migration project
Micro aircraft used to help guide birds to Spanish stopover as part of efforts to create sustaining migratory population
TL;DR
- Fifteen new northern bald ibis have been guided to northern Spain by humans using micro aircraft.
- The northern bald ibis had been extinct in Europe for 300 years.
- The project in Alt Empordà, Catalonia, aims to establish a self-sustaining breeding colony and connect European populations.
- Human 'foster parents' guide the birds, helping to reduce mortality rates.
- The goal is to establish at least 50 breeding pairs and 300 individuals living wild in the region within 10 years.
- The charisma of the ibis is being used to promote environmental education and awareness.
- A local electric utility company has retrofitted pylons to be safer for birds after visiting the project.