Rare northern bald ibises take flight in human-led European migration project

Key Points:

• Fifteen northern bald ibises have joined a growing flock in Alt Empordà, Catalonia, guided by human migration guides flying micro aircraft to help the birds along their route.
• The northern bald ibis, extinct in Europe for 300 years, is being reintroduced through captive breeding projects in Austria, Jerez, and now Catalonia, aiming to establish self-sustaining populations.
• The Alt Empordà project, started in 2024, currently manages nearly 60 ibises with support from staff and volunteers, collaborating closely with the Aiguamolls Park nature reserve to reduce breeding risks and mortality.
• The ibises migrate between European sites with human assistance, benefiting from 20 years of experience that has lowered mortality rates; the long-term goal is to establish interconnected colonies across Europe with robust gene diversity.
• The project not only aids species conservation but also promotes environmental education and has influenced local companies like Endesa to make infrastructure safer for birds, highlighting the importance of active efforts to preserve ecosystems.