Number of Juveniles
Start of migration
Distance to Andalusia
The next human-led migration will take place in August 2023. It is carried out to release juveniles for the further establishment of the colony in Überlingen on Lake Constance. This fourth migration for the Überlingen colony has been delayed by three years as a result of Corona.
However this year, the migration has a new destination: instead of flying to the wintering area in Tuscany, we will fly to Andalusia to release the juveniles there. Over the last 20 years, the partner project Projecto Eremita, established a sedentary Northern Bald Ibis population of about 200 birds in this region and our release birds are supposed to overwinter in that area as well. The about 2300-kilometre journey to Andalusia leads through three countries and confronts the project team with new challenges: Not only do birds and people have to show more endurance than in previous years, but new languages, countries and cultures are also added. The overall duration of the migration is estimated at 30-40 days.
Why Andalusia?
Global warming is becoming a challenge for the Northern Bald Ibis. The birds of the colonies in the northern foothills of the Alps have increasing problems to cross the barrier of mountain ridges in autumn. A new migration corridor to Andalusia will enable them to reach a suitable wintering area without having to overcome this natural barrier.
Click here for the latest pictures and information:
Timetable for human-led migration 2023
KW 14
KW 15 - 18
Hand-raising the juveniles at Karlsruhe Zoo (D). Visitors can observe the foster mothers at work.
KW 19 - 31
Camp visits are possible from 22. May onwards during visiting hours or by appointment.
Contact Camp Leader
Laura Pahnke
- camp@waldrappteam.at
- +49 1525 2424697
Visiting hours:
Mo-Fr: 15:00 – 17:00
Sa, Su and holidays: 11:00-13:00 ; 15:00 -17:00
Randegger Ottilien-Quelle is supporting the reintroduction of the bald ibis near Binningen by providing free drinks at the camp.
KW 32 - 38
Human-led migration from Binningen airfield (D) to Vejer de la Frontera, Andalusia (E).
Migration Diary 2023
On 02 March 2023 the first eggs were laid at Rosegg colony. After the typical 28-day incubation period for the Northern Bald Ibis, we expect the first chicks to hatch on 30 March. At the age of four to six days, the chicks are then collected from the nests and placed in the care of the two foster mothers Helena Wehner and Barbara Steininger. A total of 35 chicks will be raised this year, which is a record number. For many years now, Rosegg Zoo has provided the majority of the chicks for hand rearing.
25. May 2023
Today our last three bald ibises have fledged. Paloma, Aurelius and Rabauke have also ventured into the aviary today and can now enjoy the sun together with the others and search for snails and insects in the meadow. The necessary cooling down in between is of course also provided. But our journey does not end here. Already in the last days the first preparations were made for the upcoming flight training with the ultralight aircraft. In order to reduce the fear of our device, the birds are regularly played the sound of the engine before they come into contact with the aircraft. Then the aircraft is driven up and down in front of the aviary. In this way, we can accustom the bald ibis to the flying machine without stress and very gradually.
We are looking forward to the coming weeks and will keep you informed about the development of the training.
18. May 2023
Also today we have again a reason to celebrate. Accompanied by the best weather, Selma, Espi and Layla have fledged today. This means that more than half of our bald ibis are ready to fly and the two foster mothers, Helena and Barbara, are proud of every single one of their offspring. Just three have flown into the aviary, and the next ones are already moving up the ramp of the rearing cart and curiously looking into the aviary. We are curious to see which bald ibis will dare to take off next.
We warmly invite all interested people to visit us in the information tent (Beurener Str. 9, 78247 Hilzingen) from Monday, May 22. We will be available on site at the following times:
Monday to Friday from 3 to 5 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday and on holidays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Gathered in a guided group, you can go observe the bald ibis with us at these times. Since there is still flight activity and we do not want to frighten the bald ibis, we ask you to refrain from independent visits.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us by phone
+49 152 524 246 97
10. May 2023
Monday noon, it was time for the foster mothers and the juvenile Northern Bald Ibises to move from the well-frequented Karlsruhe Zoo to our mobile training camp in Binningen. Surrounded by the idyllic countryside, they were warmly welcomed into their new home for the next two and a half months.
For the juveniles, the move brings a big change. Shortly after arriving in the new rearing van, the first birds explored the ramp to the outdoor aviary and the floor of the van. We are already curious to see who will be the first to venture into the aviary and thus initiate the fledging of our Northern Bald Ibises.
Our visiting times on site will be announced in the coming days.
31. April 2023
At just 28 days old, our oldest chicks already developed their beautiful plumage. At first glance it appears black, but with a little sunlight it shimmers in all the colours of the rainbow. Not only does it look great, our biggest chicks are discovering starting to discover their wings and are certainly already thinking about what they can do with them. As the first step towards fledging, we can already observe the first wing beats.
Even our smallest ones are now beginning to develop their feathers.
Come and visit us at Zoo Karlsruhe and have a look at our chicks. In the visitors’ tent you can find information about the project and have all your questions answered.
22. April 2023
In the night from Thursday to Friday, 21 April, our chicks set off on their first big journey. While the two foster mothers, Helena and Barbara, took care of the juveniles as usual, the rest of the team packed all the necessary things to transfer them from Rosegg Zoo in Carinthia to Karlsruhe Zoo. Thursday evening, after the last feeding, the chicks were loaded into our vehicle. According to the natural feeding habits, the chicks receive no food from late evening until the next morning. This way, it was not necessary to disturb the chicks during the journey.
We would like to thank the team of the zoo who welcomed us very warmly even in the middle of the night. All the chicks managed the journey well and continue to gain weight. Since yesterday, zoo visitors can observe the rearing of the juveniles in Karlsruhe Zoo and inform themselves in our information tent about the project.
We are looking forward to our many visitors!
17. April 2023
Our group is complete! The last two late hatchers successfully moved into their new nests in the rearing container today.
We are happy to report that all chicks have settled well into their new nests so far and are already showing great progress in their development! Our biggest chick weighs 883 g, our youngest chick 110 g. But even the smallest ones will catch up very soon.
On 20 April we will start the big trip to Karlsruhe in the evening. There, zoo visitors will be able to observe the hand-rearing through a glass window.
7. April 2023
This year’s hand-raising at Rosegg Zoo in Carinthia has started. Yesterday afternoon we took the first 10 chicks out of the nests. After a short medical examination, the first weighing and the application of coloured markings (ribbons on the legs), they moved into their new nests. The chicks are between four and seven days old and they are all doing well after their first night.
They woke up very lively this morning, even though it seems that we have a few late sleepers among the chicks this year. Helena and Barbara are busy feeding and taking care of the juveniles all day.