<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/28/northern-bald-ibis-bird-back-from-extinction-now-scientists-in-a-glider-are-teaching-it-to-migrate-aoe>
"The northern bald ibis was extinct in central Europe for 300 years. Now, it
has returned – and scientist “foster parents” aboard a tiny plane are teaching
the birds to fly their long-forgotten migration routes.
Thirty-six of these endangered birds are now following an ultralight aircraft
1,740 miles (2,800km ) from Austria to Spain, on a trip that could take up to
50 days to complete.
During the flight, human foster parents sit on the back of the microlight,
waving and shouting encouragement to the birds as they fly. Biologist Johannes
Fritz – who came up with the idea – pilots the small aircraft, which has a
small fan-like motor on the back and yellow parachute keeping it aloft.
It is the first attempt to reintroduce a migratory species using this
technique, says Fritz. “It’s an almost surreal experience, to be up there in
the sky with these birds, experiencing them in the air, perfectly shaped for
flying,” he says. “It’s a touching and extraordinary experience.”
Fritz was inspired by the 1996 film
Fly Away Home in which the main character
flies an ultralight plane to show orphaned geese their migratory path. The film
was based on the work of “Father Goose” Bill Lishman, a naturalist who taught
Canada geese in the same way in 1988."
Via
Positive.News
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
