The Northern Bald Ibis

Fresh hope for Middle East's rarest bird

In the time of the pharaohs, the northern bald ibis was highly revered as of special significance and even had its own hieroglyphic symbol...read on

Now this bird has become the rarest in the Middle East – with just three wild individuals in Syria, plus one juvenile reared this year. Formerly thought to be extinct in the wild in the Middle East, in 2002 researchers were delighted when they discovered a tiny population near the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria, their last known refuge in the region.

The Turkish Government (Nature Protection and National Parks) has donated six semi-captive birds from Turkey which have been taken to Syria in the hope they can prevent the disappearance of the wild Middle Eastern population. Two of these have been fitted with satellite transmitters and, with expert help, have been carefully introduced to the wild birds in the hope they will follow the wild bird and, ultimately, bolster the precariously small population. Meanwhile the Syrian General Commission for Al Badia Management has built aviaries where the remaining birds will be kept for breeding and future releases of juveniles.

Two of the wild adult birds and the released juveniles have been fitted with satellite tracking devices, allowing researchers to monitor their movements. It is known the adult birds travel to Ethiopia to spend the winter, but the wintering grounds of the juveniles is incompletely known. A team of biologists will also be attempting to locate the birds on the ground, and to record habitat details and ensure that no illegal hunting takes place.

Challenges

Ali Hammoud, Director General of Syrian GCB, said: “This is by far the biggest conservation partnership in the region to save the tiny ibis colony from the brink of extinction. With such collaboration and despite of the challenges, the supplementation attempt is already a triumph”

This operation is the result of a major international collaboration of efforts between conservation NGOs, Governments, researchers, funders and individuals.The seven adult birds discovered in 2002 had by this year dwindled to just three, despite extensive protection in Syria. There is increasing evidence that hunting and other pressures outside the breeding grounds have driven this decline, and satellite tracking the birds is a major tool for understanding and addressing the problems.

Seriously threatened

Yasar Dostbil, the Director of Nature Protection and National Parks Directorate, in Turkey, said: “This is one of the best conservation studies ever carried out on a species seriously threatened with extinction. We are very glad to be a part of these efforts.”

The Northern Bald Ibis is Critically Endangered (the very highest category of threat). In addition to the tiny Syrian population, the bird has two further wild colonies, in south-west Morocco, where the population totals just 100 breeding pairs.

Report from RSPB.