Conservationists used 3D-printed birds to help the Northern Bald Ibis revival at Lake Constance in Germany.

Footage shows a Natural History Museum Vienna (NHM) officer making bird dummies using the machine. The birds were installed in a natural rock niche in Uberlingen to aid in the bird's reintroduction to the area after being extinct in Europe.

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 bird, also known as Waldrapppe, has flourished since being reintroduced under the EU LIFE project led by Schonbrunn Zoo in 2022. Five breeding pairs are currently raising young in the niche.

Katrin Vohland, NHM Vienna's General Director, said: 'We used 3D scans to produce the dummies layer by layer.'

The dummy bird was first installed at a height of more than 20 metres in February and has 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.