The bald ibis, scientific name Geronticus eremita, is a critically endangered species of wading bird found across parts of North Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Once widespread, the global population of bald ibises has declined precipitously in modern times due to habitat loss, hunting, and other threats. Today, only a few small wild populations remain, along with some reintroduced populations and captive breeding programs. But just how many bald ibises are left in the world?
Wild bald ibis populations
According to the latest estimates from BirdLife International, there are only around 500 wild bald ibises left globally. This includes about 200 adults in Morocco, less than 10 in Syria, and around 250 in Turkey. There is also a tiny remnant population of 3-4 birds that overwinter in Ethiopia.
Morocco is home to the largest remaining bald ibis population. The birds breed in the Souss-Massa National Park and nearby Tamri, feeding and nesting on coastal cliffs. Efforts to protect their breeding sites and reduce disturbance have helped stabilize this population, though it remains endangered by drought, predation, and food shortages.
The Syrian population of bald ibises, once thriving, has been decimated by the ongoing civil war in the country. Only a handful of birds remain in the desert steppe area of Palmyra, their breeding sites and foraging habitat damaged by the conflict. Conservationists hold out hope that this tiny remnant group can persist and eventually recover.
In Turkey, a semi-wild population of around 250 bald ibises breeds in the Birecik Wildlife Reserve along the Euphrates River. This population descended from birds released in the 1970s as part of a reintroduction program. The ibises migrate south to wintering grounds in Saudi Arabia, depending critically on wetland habitat at both ends of their migratory route.
A tiny remnant group of bald ibises also overwinters in the highlands of Ethiopia, migrating north again in the spring to an unknown breeding location. Conservationists do not know if these few individuals represent a viable breeding population, or are the last survivors of a colony that has disappeared.
Reintroduced populations
In addition to wild birds, there are several reintroduced populations of bald ibises now breeding independently in the wild. These include:
- About 50 ibises in Andalusia, Spain. This colony descended from birds reintroduced in the early 2000s.
- About 90 ibises across Austria and Germany. These are the descendants of birds released starting in the 1970s.
- Around 80 ibises in Italy. Reintroduction began in the late 1990s.
Other small reintroduced populations exist in France and Switzerland. While still endangered, these reintroduced bald ibis colonies have been established successfully in areas of former habitat, helping boost the global numbers.
Captive populations
There are also significant captive bald ibis populations maintained in zoos, wildlife parks, and breeding facilities across North Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Many of these captive birds are managed as part of coordinated breeding programs to help conserve bald ibis genetic diversity and provide stock for future reintroduction efforts.
The largest captive populations include:
- Over 500 bald ibises at breeding and conservation facilities in Austria, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland.
- Around 45 ibises at the Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation in Qatar.
- Nearly 40 ibises at the Zoo Aquarium of Madrid.
- Around 50 ibises in Turkish zoos and wildlife parks.
Dozens of other zoos and facilities in the region likely hold smaller captive groups of bald ibises as well. Tallying these scattered groups indicates there are likely at least 1,000 bald ibises living under human care.
Total global population
Adding together the estimates for wild birds, reintroduced populations, and captive groups provides an approximate total global population of bald ibises:
Wild populations | 500 |
Reintroduced populations | 300 |
Captive populations | 1,000 |
Total | 1,800 |
So in summary, the latest research suggests there are likely around 1,800 bald ibises remaining globally. This includes 500-600 wild birds, around 300 reintroduced birds breeding independently, and an estimated captive population of over 1,000.
While the total number of bald ibises has increased in recent decades thanks to intensive conservation work, the species remains in a precarious state. The tiny remnant wild populations could blink out rapidly due to natural disasters, disease, or other threats. Maintaining robust captive populations and continuing reintroduction efforts are critical to ensuring the bald ibis has a future.
Looking at historical records underscores how dangerously close the bald ibis is to extinction. The species was once widespread across North Africa, the Middle East, and Southern Europe. As recently as 400 years ago, huge migratory flocks of over 1 million bald ibises were described by observers. The precipitous decline since then brings home the need for continued vigilance and conservation action if the remaining wild populations are to survive.
With its unique upturned bill, punk-style head plumes, and scarlet bald head, the bald ibis stands out as one of the world’s most distinctive birds. Losing this singular creature would represent an irreparable loss. Sustained efforts to boost breeding success, limit threats, maintain genetic health, and expand habitat can help ensure the bald ibis does not disappear fully from the wild.
Conclusion
The bald ibis, once a ubiquitous visitor across Europe and the Middle East, is now teetering dangerously close to extinction. Intensive conservation work has boosted captive numbers and supported reintroduced populations, but wild bald ibises number only in the few hundreds. Safeguarding remaining breeding colonies in Morocco, Turkey, and Syria is crucial for preserving the species’ future. With coordinated captive breeding and reintroduction efforts, it may still be possible to restore sustainable wild bald ibis populations. But the window of opportunity is closing fast, and more dedicated action is needed if the bald ibis’ distinctive silhouette is to grace its ancestral breeding grounds into the future.