Daily Current Affairs : 30-August-2024

The Northern Bald Ibis is an extraordinary bird that has made a comeback in Europe thanks to dedicated conservation efforts. This species, which was once extinct in Europe, is now being revived through breeding and rewilding programs aimed at restoring its population and habitat. Let’s explore the history, the efforts to save this bird, and its current status.

History and Geographical Range

Historically, the Northern Bald Ibis was found across a wide range that included:

  • The European Alps
  • Northern Africa
  • The Middle East

These regions provided ideal conditions for the ibis, with wide, open landscapes and secure nesting sites. However, hunting, habitat loss, and human activity caused a dramatic decline in the bird’s population. By the early 20th century, the species was considered extinct in Europe.

Conservation Efforts

Thanks to the work of conservationists, the Northern Bald Ibis has slowly started to recover. The main methods used in these efforts include:

  • Breeding Programs: Conservationists have been breeding the birds in captivity to increase their numbers.
  • Rewilding Projects: Some of these birds are released back into the wild in areas where they were historically found, such as parts of southern Europe.

These efforts focus on both protecting the birds and restoring their natural habitat, allowing the ibises to thrive again in the wild.

Current Status

Despite the success of these programs, the Northern Bald Ibis is still listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This means that the species remains at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, climate change, and human disturbance.

  • Endangered Status: The Northern Bald Ibis is classified as Endangered by the IUCN, meaning it faces a high risk of extinction in the near future unless conservation efforts are continued and expanded.
Reviving the Northern Bald Ibis: What You Should Know
Courtesy:eBird

Important Points:

  • Northern Bald Ibis was once extinct in Europe but has been revived through conservation efforts.
  • The bird’s historical range included:
    • European Alps
    • Northern Africa
    • The Middle East
  • The species declined due to:
    • Hunting
    • Habitat loss
    • Human activity
  • Conservation efforts to revive the Northern Bald Ibis include:
    • Breeding programs to increase population in captivity.
    • Rewilding projects to release birds back into the wild in traditional habitats (e.g., southern Europe).
  • Despite successful conservation, the Northern Bald Ibis is still classified as Endangered by the IUCN.
  • The species faces continued threats from:
    • Habitat loss
    • Climate change
    • Human disturbance
  • The IUCN lists the Northern Bald Ibis as Endangered, meaning it is at a high risk of extinction if conservation efforts are not sustained.
  • The revival of the species is a success story of dedicated conservation, but more work is needed to ensure long-term survival.

Why In News

The Northern Bald Ibis, once extinct in Europe due to overhunting and habitat loss, has been successfully revived through a combination of captive breeding and rewilding efforts, offering hope for the species’ future survival.

MCQs about Reviving the Northern Bald Ibis

  1. Where was the Northern Bald Ibis historically found?
    A. Only in Europe
    B. Only in Northern Africa
    C. The European Alps, Northern Africa, and the Middle East
    D. The Arctic region
    Correct Answer: C. The European Alps, Northern Africa, and the Middle East
    Explanation: The Northern Bald Ibis was historically found in the European Alps, Northern Africa, and the Middle East, where it thrived in open landscapes and secure nesting sites.
  2. What led to the extinction of the Northern Bald Ibis in Europe?
    A. Climate change
    B. Overhunting and habitat loss
    C. Natural predators
    D. Competition with other bird species
    Correct Answer: B. Overhunting and habitat loss
    Explanation: The Northern Bald Ibis was driven to extinction in Europe primarily due to hunting, habitat loss, and human disturbance.
  3. Which of the following is a key conservation strategy used to revive the Northern Bald Ibis?
    A. Relocating the species to new continents
    B. Breeding the birds in captivity and releasing them into the wild
    C. Creating artificial habitats in zoos
    D. Banning all human activity in affected areas
    Correct Answer: B. Breeding the birds in captivity and releasing them into the wild
    Explanation: Conservation efforts to revive the Northern Bald Ibis focus on breeding the birds in captivity and then reintroducing them into their historical habitats through rewilding projects.
  4. What is the current conservation status of the Northern Bald Ibis according to the IUCN?
    A. Critically Endangered
    B. Vulnerable
    C. Least Concern
    D. Endangered
    Correct Answer: D. Endangered
    Explanation: The Northern Bald Ibis is listed as **Endangered** by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), meaning the species is at high risk of extinction without continued conservation efforts.

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