Verona, two Northern Bald Ibises are missing during the guided migration. Researchers: “Help us find them”
Men and women who argue endangered birds, the Northern Bald Ibises, through guided migrations. Researchers who, aboard their ultralights, follow the flocks of Northern Bald Ibises to guide them and help them keep the right course. The adoptive parents of the Northern Bald Ibises are the researchers of the European project Life Northern Bald Ibise the Austrian colleagues of the Waldrappteam, the latter a non-profit organization that deals with the protection of these birds. The Northern Bald Ibis was quite common along the rocky areas and areas of southern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Then, from the early 1900s, due to poaching but also to the use of pesticides and anthropization, the specimens have drastically reduced and the species risked extinction. Hence the work of researchers to help them in migrations, which are fundamental for the reproductive processes and for the protection of the species.
The stage of the journey
The park Natura Viva of Bussolengo, in the Veronese area, who collaborates in the project, told about one of the most recent stages: Wednesday 24 August in Collepietra (Bolzano) men and birds of the 15th century human-led migration arrived of the Hermit Ibis. The flock headed for Orbetello, the final destination of the migration. Twenty-nine young specimens and their adoptive mothers (two researchers aboard two motorized ultralights) he had left Gerlos (Austria) in the morning. But then there was an unscheduled: just before crossing the border at Passo Vizze, some birds reversed and at 2,276 meters above sea level, one of the two aircraft followed them, in turn reversing the course. The flight continued instead for the other ultralight which reached the planned stage in 2 hours and 45 minutes, covering a total of 95 kilometers. At the end of the stage they are missing due to Ibis.
Appeal to search for the missing
Birds – the Waldrappteam explains in a note – were probably confused by the fact that the previous stage required eight days of waiting before being able to cross the Alps, with a weather that allowed stable weather and adequate updrafts. An unexpected event which, however, will not prevent men and birds from leaving south with 27 birds. Meanwhile, volunteers and citizens have been alerted for the search for ibises who did not return to the camp. The hermit ibises led by, all assisted by human mothers who follow them since hatching and who in flight show them the route for wintering up to Orbetello, their mission is to memorize the path of migration to then be able to travel in the opposite direction at the dawn of next summer. Return to Austria, reproduce and bring the young back to the south, reconstituting the original migratory balance compromised by the persecution of man. Which in Europe caused its extinction in the wild 4 centuries ago and which today tries to put it into function.
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August 26, 2022 (change August 26, 2022 | 16:14)
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