After a month of travel and more than 1.900 kilometres, the 36 hermit ibis that left Germany guided by their “human mothers” are passing through Valencia. This international project, in which the BIOPARC Foundation is collaborating for the second year, aims to reintroduce these birds, extinct in Europe since the XNUMXth century, thanks to an extraordinary journey to teach them the migratory route. Their goal is in Cadiz, where the ibis will join the colony of the Hermit Project, led by the Biodiversity Conservation Centre – Zoobotanical Centre of Jerez.
La guided migration It is possible thanks to the hermit ibis, born in European zoos such as part of the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA) EEP conservation programme, are accompanied from their first days by their adoptive human mothers, who become their only caregivers.
Dressed in yellow, the birds imprint themselves on them and create a strong bond, identifying them as their reference. An intense work of months without rest, to get them to follow the ultralight that will guide them during their first migration.
LIFE project for the reintroduction of the northern hermit ibis in Europe.
This LIFE project, subsidized with European funds and dedicated to the reintroduction of the northern hermit ibis into Europe, Also called northern bald ibis (Geronticus the hermit), has been active for more than 20 years, although this is the second year that his destination is Spain.
All this great effort by conservation entities has as its goal The ultimate goal is the reintroduction of this species, classified as “extinct” by the IUCN, into the habitat from which it disappeared in the 17th century. (International Union for Conservation of Nature).
This same body highlighted the Necessary involvement of zoological institutions in the preservation of biodiversity and their vital commitment to avoid extinction of the most endangered species. The success of projects such as this one, with the intervention and coordination of numerous actors, is an example to follow and marks a milestone in the recovery of the ibis population in Europe.
Following the positive experience of last year, the BIOPARC Foundation renews its collaboration by providing the appropriate feed for the birds and logistical support. It has also facilitated the incorporation of two specialists to the team that accompany the Waldrappteam from the days before crossing the Pyrenees until the end of the migration.
These professionals collaborate in support tasks for the ground team, which travels in parallel by road, and is responsible for setting up the camp and the aviary, as well as managing all operational needs at each stage of the journey.
These days, The camp is located at the Olocau Aerodrome in Valencia, when the conditions for the flight are optimal, the ultralight will take off with one of its adoptive mothers on board to guide them from their current location to their next stop in Pozo-Cañada (Albacete) with final destination in Vejer de la Frontera (Cadiz).
Hermit project.
Their goal is to unite the group of ibis with the wild colony of Hermit Project, carried out by the Biodiversity Conservation Centre – Zoobotanical of Jerez and which is also part of an EPP conservation programme. The release of these specimens will be carried out under strict monitoring measures to ensure their adaptation and survival.
A key fact for the creation of this new migration route was The case of “Ingrid”, an ibis that, during a previous trip to Italy, decided to deviate and flew alone to the Iberian PeninsulaThis event demonstrated that the route to Spain was viable, leading to the implementation in 2023 of the current guided migration from Central Europe to Cadiz.
BIOPARC Valencia houses a colony of sacred ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus), much better known among the population for its deep connection with the history and mythology of ancient Egypt.
