An historical moment: 6 ibises from Birecik at the Turkey-Syrian border, in June 2010: the first time that Turkish ibises cross this border by car.
Estaz Ali Hamoud, director of Syrian GBC, releases ibises at new Al Talila Ibis Breeding Centre, in Palmyra, Syria, in June 2010.
Six bald ibises traveling in carton boxes across southern Anatolia, on the rear part of a pickup...
Salam, surrounded by 3 chicks, on top of an aviary in Palmyra (inside aviary other 2 birds).
After 18 months of tragic bureaucratic impasse, it was only in June 2010 that, thanks to the key intervention of the Syrian and the Turkish First Ladies, 2 pairs and 2 chicks of bald ibises where finally transferred from Birecik in Turkey to a purposely built aviary in Palmyra.
A first test of supplementation - the release of two Turkish chicks nearby the last wild birds of Palmyra (and of the whole Middle East!) - was successfully carried out in July 2010 with key involvement of Waldrappteam and Alpenzoo.
Two Turkish juveniles, plus a Syrian abandoned juvenile, were released beside the last wild Syrian adult (Salam) remained at breeding grounds, in early days of July. Two days later Salam departed for migration and the 3 chicks followed her for more than 1000 Km into southern Saudi Arabia!! This was a long-sought moment..., but sadly it has taken place really TOO LATE...
See news releases:
BirdLife. 2010. “Donation of ibis gives Middle East’s rarest bird renewed hope of survival”
Jerusalem Post. 2010. “Turkey, Syria engage in bird diplomacy”
The Washington Times. 2010. “Turkey, Syria come together for northern bald ibis”
