Two male hermit ibis from Barcelona Zoo released in Cádiz
The two male hermit ibis (‘Geronticus eremita’) born in Barcelona Zoo last year will form part of a project to reintroduce the species into the wild. The bird’s natural home is the Mediterranean basin, and it is considered in danger of extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The two birds left Barcelona early in October. Before being released into the wild, they spent some time in quarantine at Jerez Zoo and a few weeks adapting on a property in Vejer de la Frontera, where daily releases in small groups are organised to help the birds assimilate to groups living wild.
Both birds are fitted with GPS trackers, funded by Barcelona Zoo, to help with the assessment of the success of the reintroduction of the species.
Eremita project to reintroduce the species
The last remaining group of hermit ibis living in the wild is in south-eastern Morocco and numbers nearly 700 birds. The species has practically disappeared in the Middle East and Europe, where until the 18th century it could even be found in countries far from the Mediterranean, such as Austria, Hungary and Switzerland.
The population in the wild is actually growing slightly thanks to in situ conservation programmes and ex situ initiatives at various zoos in Europe, including Barcelona.
In this respect, Jerez Zoo and the regional government of Andalusia launched the Ermita project in 2004, with scientific guidance for the Doñana Biologicial Station (CSIC). The goal was to study the different liberation techniques for birds born in captivity to establish a sedentary, stable and self-sufficient population in the area. The Barcelona Zoo Foundation has been collaboration since 2019 with an ex situ breeding programme and by providing specialist teams for monitoring animals.
The project has helped consolidate two breeding colonies in the cliffs at Barca de Vejer (Vejer de la Frontera) and at Torre de Castilova (Conil de la Frontera). These colonies are made up of some 200 birds in all. During this year’s liberation campaign, between October 2022 and February 2023, the hope is to liberate some 40 individuals from different zoos, including Barcelona Zoo.
There has been a notable increase in the number of pairs this year. Between them, the two colonies have 28 pairs and 32 juveniles which have flown the nest, bringing the population to its highest number yet. The figures are regarded as being close to reaching the minimum feasible population to allow the species to grow in the wild without the need to release animals bred ex situ.
