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Northern Bald Ibis Poachers Surveilled through GPS Tracking

Northern Bald Ibises possess a size similar to geese, sport a red beak, and are critically endangered.

SymClub
May 30, 2024
2 min read
NewsGlobal Positioning SystemRegionalStuttgart regional newsAnimal welfare organizationsBird speciesSpecies extinctionÜberlingenFlight
The striking Northern Bald Ibis is one of the most endangered birds in the world
The striking Northern Bald Ibis is one of the most endangered birds in the world

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High-tech efforts shield vulnerable avian species. - Northern Bald Ibis Poachers Surveilled through GPS Tracking

Exciting news: Ibis birds are once again reproducing in Germany and Austria! In the area of Überlingen (Baden-Württemberg), some birds have even chosen a natural rock crevice for their nest, a significant win for the Waldrappteam species protectors.

Tragic Loss: Three Ibis Males from Überlingen

Sad news: Many of their fellow species aren't as fortunate. Indeed, three Ibis males from Überlingen met their untimely end. They were gunned down in Italy. How does anyone know this? Through the latest state-of-the-art technology. Since a substantial number of the birds have a GPS monitor on their back, researchers can track their movements. Not only does GPS help researchers map the birds' flight routes, but it might also enable them to track poachers more effectively in the future. As Prof. Klaus Hacklander of the German Wildlife Foundation, a supporter of the Waldrappteam, explains:

Calling the Police for a Field Investigation

The transmitter is also capable of detecting when a bird is immobile - likely dead. As Stefani from the Waldrappteam Support Association points out, "If we notice that a Waldrapp is evidently dead, we always contact the local police and enquire if they can retrieve the carcass. Only through the police can we follow up on a criminal investigation."

Historically, unlawful bird hunting is common in Italy. Popular locations include Apulia, Sicily, Sardinia, along the southern Tyrrhenian coast, in the Po Delta, and in Lombardy. According to Stefani,

To effectively combat wildlife crime, it's crucial to employ advanced technology and improve the legal framework.

Conservationists - like biologist Johannes Fritz here - were able to attract bald ibises to Überlingen using dummies

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