Northern bald ibis species protection project

Working hard for the Northern bald ibis

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The Northern bald ibis (NBI) is one of the most highly endangered bird species in the world. It was extirpated in Europe in the 17^th century. Schönbrunn Zoo has supported the efforts to study and reintroduce this fascinating bird since the onset of this project in 2002. The NBI is a migratory bird. It needs to learn its flight route to the overwintering grounds from its parents within the first year of its life. This flight tradition, however, was lost with last free-living NBI in Europe. As part of a LIFE project (LIFE20 NAT/AT/000049 – LIFE NBI), an EU-wide funding program for environmental and climate protection, new breeding colonies are being established in Rosegg (Carinthia) and Caprino Veronese (Italy) to complement the three existing colonies in Austria and Germany.

Measures

As part of human-led migrations, young birds are shown the migratory route to a suitable wintering area. Chicks hatched in zoos are raised by hand and imprinted on two human foster parents. As co-pilots in ultralight aircrafts, the foster parents then show the birds the flight route to a suitable wintering area. At the age of two to three years, the ibises independently migrate back to their breeding grounds and breed there, later leading their own young down south – thus establishing a new migratory tradition.

The wild ibis population already numbers 280 animals in 2025 – according to calculations, the population can survive independently starting at 357 individuals. The hard work of all partners in the new EU-funded LIFE project led by Schönbrunn Zoo therefore remains the only chance to preserve this extraordinary bird in the wild for future generations. The project's motto, “Reason for Hope,” is no coincidence: every year, around 70 young birds hatch in the wild and fledge – they are the offspring of bald ibises that were reintroduced in previous years.

Two of the major causes of mortality in the free-flying population are poaching (in Italy) and electrocution at unsafe overhead powerlines (in Austria). In order to protect and to study NBI which hatch in the wild long term, many individuals are being equipped with small transponders. The GPS signals emitted by those birds, allow us to follow their migration routes continuously via the App „Animal Tracker“.

This is how Schönbrunn Zoo is supporting the project:

• Coordinating the project „LIFE Northern Bald Ibis“ (LIFE20 NAT/AT/000049 – LIFE NBI) with 9 project partners
• Providing infrastructure for food preparation, chick hand-raising as well as accompanying public relations measures
• Presentation of the project during guided tours and events
• Zoo director Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck and the zoo’s curator for conservation, Regina Kramer, are on the board of the bald ibis team sponsorship association
• Captive breeding
• financial support

This is what our partners have to say:

Johannes Fritz, director of the “Waldrappteam Conservation & Research”: "Our work would hardly be possible and the survival of the NBI in grave doubt without the international, stable zoo population. Schönbrunn Zoo is therefore a crucial partner for the success of our species protection project, both as a resource for chicks and as an important funder. Our combined efforts can help ensure that the NBI once again returns to parts of its historical range.”

Scientific publications on the bald ibis: