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Northern Bald Ibis back from extinction

PATERZELL, Germany — How do you teach a bird how, and where, to fly?

The distinctive Northern Bald Ibis, hunted essentially to extinction by the 17th century, was revived by breeding and rewilding efforts over the last two decades. But the birds — known for their distinctive black-and-iridescent green plumage, bald red head and long curved beak — don't instinctively know which direction to fly to migrate without the guidance of wild-born elders. So a team of scientists and conservationists stepped in as foster parents and flight instructors.

LEARNING TO FLY Northern Bald Ibis, or the Waldrapp migrate supported by their foster parents in a microlight aircraft, waving and shouting encouragement through a bullhorn as it flies through the air from Seekirchen am Wallersee in Austria to Oasi Laguna di Orbetello in Italy in 2022. WALDRAPPTEAM CONSERVATION & RESEARCH VIA AP