A conservation group in Austria has successfully guided a flock of 36 endangered Northern Bald Ibises on a 1,615-mile migration from Germany to Spain using paragliders. The birds, which lost their natural migratory instincts after going extinct in Europe over 400 years ago, were raised in captivity and imprinted on human handlers to follow them during the journey. The project, led by the Waldrappteam, took 50 days to complete and was documented by Gunnar Hartmann, whose photograph won the 2026 Scientists at Work photography competition.
The Northern Bald Ibis, known for its distinctive ruddy bill and mohawk-like crest, was reintroduced to Europe after a population was discovered in Syria and Morocco a century ago. Scientists have been teaching the birds to migrate by flying alongside them in ultralight aircraft, guiding them with calls and shouts. The birds were hatched in April 2024 in Rosegg, Austria, and spent three months at a training camp in Bavaria before beginning their journey.
The migration was completed in September 2024, with the final leg taking place in Jaén, Spain. Hartmann, a biogeoscience undergraduate at the University of Koblenz, captured the winning photograph on a cool morning in the region. The project aims to restore the species' natural migratory behavior and ensure their survival by providing them with suitable winter habitats.