For the second consecutive year, BIOPARC Valencia is joining the international conservation project for the Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita), a species that became extinct in Europe in the 36th century and is still in serious danger. The XNUMX juveniles, guided by their adoptive mothers, are already flying over Spain accompanied by the Waldrappteam, within the framework of a LIFE programme. The aim is to restore migratory routes on the European continent, linking two populations: the Central European one with the one resident in Cadiz, reintroduced in a project led by the Zoobotanical Biodiversity Conservation Centre of Jerez.
This year, BIOPARC Valencia has intensified its collaboration by actively participating in the second guided migration of the Northern Bald Ibis.
A member of the BIOPARC team has joined the ground support staff during their time in France. They are now flying over Spain, as the 2.300-kilometre journey that began in Germany on 13 August is due to end in Vejer de la Frontera, Cádiz., where they will join the colony of Ibis from the Eremita Project led by the Jerez Zoobotanical Biodiversity Conservation Center.
In this way, the aim is to connect the two populations reintroduced in Europe, the Central European and the Andalusian. During this journey, Young birds are guided by their “foster human mothers”, Helena and Barbara, who have been with them since they were chicks, teaching them the migratory route that they will have to remember in the future.
This year's journey includes 36 Northern Bald Ibis chicks born in April at Rosegg Zoo, AustriaAfter beginning their first outdoor flights in mid-June, the chicks were trained to follow an ultralight aircraft where their caregivers are, who “call” them from the air to direct them.
The migration began in Germany in mid-August and yesterday they arrived in Ordis (Girona), Spain.There are still weeks left until the birds complete their journey to Cadiz, which is scheduled to end in October.
One of the News this year is that all the birds have been equipped with GPS trackers, which will allow a Detailed tracking of your route and behavior. In addition to their participation in migration, BIOPARC Valencia provides logistical support, including facilities for the Specialty food storage and distribution, thus ensuring that birds have the resources necessary to successfully complete their migration.
The initiative not only seeks to recover an emblematic species for Europe, but also promotes education and public awareness about the importance of conserving endangered fauna.
El Ibis Eremita, also known as Northern Bald Ibis, is one step away from being classified as critically endangered globally, according to the IUCN Red List (International Union for Conservation of Nature). However, thanks to projects such as LIFE Ibis Eremita and the collaboration of multiple institutions, it is hoped that the population of this species can recover and thrive again in its natural environment.
BIOPARC Valencia hosts a colony of Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus), a species best known for its presence in Egyptian culture, contributing to the diversity and richness of the park and to public education about biodiversity.
La BIOPARC Valencia's continued participation in projects as this underlines the importance of international cooperation in the conservation efforts and reaffirms its commitment to the protection of endangered species.
