Uberlingen, Germany - July 18, 2024

In a significant achievement for conservationists, the Northern Bald Ibis, once extinct in Europe, has achieved a major milestone: breeding independently in a natural rock niche near Uberlingen on Lake Constance. This success was facilitated by two 3D-printed ibis dummies created by the Natural History Museum Vienna (NHM), marking a crucial step in the bird's reintroduction efforts.

Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck, director of the zoo involved in the project, expressed delight: "The ibis birds have transitioned from nesting in artificial walls to their natural breeding grounds, a pivotal achievement." The Waldrapppe, reintroduced under the EU LIFE project led by Schonbrunn Zoo since 2022, have flourished, with five breeding pairs currently raising young in the niche.

"We used 3D scans to produce the dummies layer by layer," explained Katrin Vohland, NHM Vienna's General Director. Installed at a height of over twenty meters in February, the dummies have encouraged successful breeding, with young ibises expected to fledge in mid-August and learn migration routes to Tuscany with their parents.

Anne-Gabriela Schmalstieg of the Waldrappteam support association highlighted ongoing efforts: "Young ibises hatched in zoos are being prepared for release with the help of microlight aircraft, guiding them to wintering areas in Andalusia." With 36 young ibises currently in training, conservationists aim to bolster the wild colony on Lake Constance, securing the future of this endangered species in Europe.