Saving the northern bald ibis in Turkey
Learn about the northern bald ibis, or hermit ibis (Geronticus eremita), of Birecik, Turkey.
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz
-
Science in Seconds (www.scienceinseconds.com) (A Britannica Publishing Partner)Ecological effects of light pollution.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.What do you call this type of animal friendship? Mutualism, of course.Media Editor: Lauren Sims
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Let's ask the Loon Ranger.Media Editors: Michele Metych , Lauren Sims
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Black skimmer (Rynchops nigra) feeding along the water's surface.
-
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, MainzA dominant female meerkat expelling a subordinate from the pack.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Learn what defines an organism and consider two candidates for the title of world's smallest organism—the bacteria Carsonella ruddii and Mycoplasma genitalium.
-
© American Chemical Society (A Britannica Publishing Partner)Learn about carbon and how it forms the basis of life.
Transcript
The Northern bald ibis - it was once widespread from southern Europe and northern Africa right to the Middle East. Today it's critically endangered, with less than 500 birds left in the wild.
The small town of Birecik in Turkey is the last stronghold of the ibis in Europe. The birds were once regarded as holy by the local people and thousands of ibis used to nest right in the middle of the town. Hunting, habitat loss as well as poisoning from pesticides all contributed to their demise and 300 years ago the ibis disappeared from Europe altogether.
Now conservation efforts are under way to reintroduce the birds into the wild. In the late 80s, a few surviving birds were moved to a colony on the outskirts of Birecik. They were relocated with the help of man-made nest boxes. The birds took to the boxes readily and today they're breeding successfully once again. And some even nest on the rocky ledges, as they once used to. Ibis numbers are increasing slowly again and today nearly a hundred birds nest on the cliff face outside the town. It’s a glimmer of hope for the bald ibis.
The small town of Birecik in Turkey is the last stronghold of the ibis in Europe. The birds were once regarded as holy by the local people and thousands of ibis used to nest right in the middle of the town. Hunting, habitat loss as well as poisoning from pesticides all contributed to their demise and 300 years ago the ibis disappeared from Europe altogether.
Now conservation efforts are under way to reintroduce the birds into the wild. In the late 80s, a few surviving birds were moved to a colony on the outskirts of Birecik. They were relocated with the help of man-made nest boxes. The birds took to the boxes readily and today they're breeding successfully once again. And some even nest on the rocky ledges, as they once used to. Ibis numbers are increasing slowly again and today nearly a hundred birds nest on the cliff face outside the town. It’s a glimmer of hope for the bald ibis.