Twenty-nine Northern bald ibises (Geronticus eremita) from the WaldrappTeam in Austria will land at Ordis and then be transported by road to the Empordà Wetlands Natural Park, near Pau in Alt Empordà.
The municipality of Ordis (in Alt Empordà) will host, on Saturday, September 27, 2025, the arrival of these 29 ibises (Geronticus eremita)—an event marking a decisive step in the European efforts to secure the future of this endangered species
The event, organized by Alive Foundation, marks a crucial moment in the conservation efforts for this endangered species. From Ordis, the birds will be transported by road to the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park in Pau, where they will be placed in a temporary aviary to undergo quarantine due to the recent outbreak of avian influenza detected in various wild birds in the area. Once the precautionary period has passed, the Austrian ibises will become part of the new colony in Pau.
In order to add these 29 ibises to the 19 currently residing there, Alive Foundation has doubled the size of the aviary in record time, thanks to the collaboration of volunteers and companies.
Catalonia: A Key Hub for Species Recovery
Catalonia, particularly the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, is emerging as a strategic area along the migratory route between Austria/Switzerland and Andalusia/Cádiz. For this reason, the Generalitat of Catalonia and Alive Foundation are working together on the species’ reintroduction, which includes the construction of an acclimatization aviary within the Natural Park and the gradual release of individuals either hand-reared ex situ or arriving via guided migration.
També s’estan duent a terme mesures complementàries per minimitzar riscos en el territori, com l‘adaptació de torres elèctriques per evitar electrocucions a les zones de pas migratori.
WaldrappTeam Assisted Migration 2025
The assisted migration program, which guides birds from Austria to Andalusia using ultralight aircraft, has been successful in many respects. However, in 2025 there has been a significant change: the birds’ final destination has become Catalonia, specifically the Empordà. This deviation, caused by a lack of training due to weather conditions, highlights both the importance of Catalonia as a welcoming area and the complexity of migratory behavior, route learning, and environmental conditions.
Once the ibises adapt to the new conditions, Catalonia could become not just a stopover point, but a partial or permanent residence for some individuals, thereby strengthening the population’s genetic diversity and resilience.
Establishing self-sustaining populations in Catalonia not only reinforces the species’ global population, but also provides local ecological benefits: improving biological connectivity, conserving habitats, raising public awareness, and potentially producing positive effects on other species that share these stopover or resident ecosystems.
With this arrival, Catalonia asserts itself as a strategic hub for the reintroduction and consolidation of the Northern bald ibis in Europe, exemplifying the success of international biodiversity conservation collaboration.
The reinforcement of Northern bald ibis populations in Europe is made possible through cooperation between international projects, such as Austria’s WaldrappTeam, Andalusia’s Proyecto Eremita, and the Catalan initiative led by Alive Foundation. Together, they work to restore a bird species that had disappeared from the continent for centuries.
ARRIVAL DAY PROGRAM
Alive Foundation is pleased to invite you to the event that will begin in Ordis and conclude in Pau:
ORDIS
9.00h Trobada a l’aeròdrom d’Ordis (?https://maps.app.goo.gl/b2DevZQ325EV23v66)
9.30h Vol dels ibis ermitans de WaldrappTeam
10.30h Signatura de la col·laboració i roda de premsa:
- Johannes Fritz, Waldrappteam Conservation and Research director
- Jordi Sargatal, Secretary for Climate Action of the Government of Catalonia
- Bernat Garrigós, President of Alive Fundació
11:00 — Dismantling of the WaldrappTeam’s camp and aviary at Ordis
Transfer to Pau, Alt Empordà (approx. 30 min)
PAU
12:00 — Tour of the new facilities of the Ibis Ermità Project run by Alive Fundació
13:00 — Arrival of the Austrian team and assembly of their temporary camp and aviaryAlivefund – Fundació Alive
⚠️ Participants are asked to wear dark clothing and avoid yellow garments, as well as to refrain from bringing dogs, for the welfare of the ibises.Alivefund – Fundació Alive
For registration: contact via email at info@alivefund.org or via WhatsApp at +34 747 459 773, providing full names and number of attendees.
