The Northern bald ibis reintroduction project at Aiguamolls de l’Empordà takes a new step forward with the arrival, this Saturday 30 May, of the second cohort of chicks of this endangered species.
The new chicks
This new group of Northern bald ibises consists of 21 individuals hatched at the facilities of the Zoobotánico de Jerez, in collaboration with the Sociedad Gaditana de Historia Natural. The chicks arrive accompanied by the project coordinator in the Empordà, biologist Marina Izquierdo, from Figueres. Of the total number of individuals, 8 come from the Zoobotánico de Jerez itself and 13 from the MiniHollywood Oasys Almería park. The first hatchings took place on 20 April, and the individuals arrive aged between 15 and 30 days old.
A first phase with very good results
This is the second cohort within the Projecte Ibis Ermità, following a first year with very positive results. In the first phase, a total of 59 individuals were involved, of which 49 live freely in the Empordà.
As for the health and adaptation balance, the results have been encouraging. Only three individuals have died: Ophèlia, due to the ingestion of a metallic object that caused a serious infection from internal organ perforation; Jette, found predated, although evidence suggests there may have been a prior weakening factor; and Osiris, the victim of a road accident west of Perpignan.
Veterinary care for several individuals
Several individuals have required veterinary attention. Ferrata has undergone partial wing amputation and will remain in captivity with a good quality of life; Lieschen is in adaptation following a wing dislocation and will also be unable to live in the wild; Muga underwent surgery due to the ingestion of a metallic object; Estupendo suffered a minor fracture to the upper beak; and Nita remained under observation due to a cut to the neck area.
Dispersal and adaptation to the territory
Regarding behaviour and dispersal, most ibises remain in the vicinity of the acclimatisation aviary, making short-range movements. Notable is the case of Fei, who has established himself stably around 20 kilometres from the release point.
GPS tracking
The project continues with exhaustive monitoring via GPS devices, while the technical team accompanies the individuals in their adaptation to the natural environment, providing a progressively decreasing food supplement to encourage foraging learning.
An unexpected visit
One of the most notable milestones of this first year has been the connection with an individual from Cádiz, who in 2023 completed the guided migration from Austria to Andalusia — a fact that reinforces the ecological viability of the project and its integration into the population dynamics of the species.
Towards a stable population in the Empordà
With the arrival of this second cohort, the project enters a new phase with the aim of consolidating a stable population of Northern bald ibises in the Empordà and contributing to the global recovery of the species.
