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After the northern bald ibis disappeared from Europe more than 300 years ago, some assumed that 16th century drawings of its gleaming plume and long, arching beak were works of the imagination.
Today, tenacious conservation efforts in Morocco have increased the population to more than 500 individuals, resulting in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species changing its status from critically endangered to endangered in 2018.
In addition, thanks to a first-of-its-kind reintroduction program, the ibises are back migrating in Europe for the first time since the 1600s, with a managed migratory population of around 270 birds.
Organizations:
CNN, Initiative, IUCN
Locations:
Europe, Morocco