Discovery of a relict breeding colony of northern bald ibis Geronticus eremita in Syria

Abstract

In this paper we describe our survey methodology for detecting old nesting sites and an extant colony in Syria, and analyse the causes of the decline and current threats. This study was undertaken within the framework of an Italian-funded, FAO-implemented project (GCP/SYR/ 009/ITA) based in Palmyra, Syria, with the aim of assisting the Syrian authorities in promoting biodiversity conservation and developing the first operational protected area, Al Talila, in the country. The search for a possible northern bald ibis colony began in March 2002 on the basis of an account given by a local hunter. A total of 33 field surveys were carried Abstract The eastern population of the northern bald ibis Geronticus eremita had been presumed extinct following the loss of the colony in Birecik, Turkey, in 1989. However, occasional sightings of birds in Yemen, Eritrea, Saudi Arabia and Israel during the 1980s and 1990s suggested that there was still a colony somewhere in the Middle East. Intensive field surveys in spring 2002, based on the knowledge of Bedouin nomads and local hunters, revealed that the species has never become completely extinct on the Syrian desertic steppe. Following systematic searches 15 old nesting sites were found, one of them still hosting an active breeding colony of seven individuals. The species appears to have been relatively common in the area until 20 years ago, when a combination of overexploitation of rangelands and increasing hunting pressure initiated a dramatic decline.

Integrating traditional knowledge when it appears to conflict with conservation: lessons from the discovery and protection of sitatunga in Ghana

“…Although such knowledge can hurt endangered wildlife when abused to indiscriminately satisfy commercial demand (Davis and Ruddle 2010), hunters and fishers have facilitated the discovery or rediscovery of rare species in several instances (Jiménez 1996, Rabinowitz et al 1999, Serra et al 2004). In Avu, hunters' ecological know-how about sitatunga has proven invaluable.…”

Accounting for the low survival of the Critically Endangered northern bald ibisGeronticus eremitaon a major migratory flyway

“…obs., 2008). The remaining 74 records were divided into (1) those prior to March 1977, when a fully functional migratory eastern population comprised c. 20-40 breeding pairs from Birecik, Turkey, and dozens of pairs from Syria (Serra et al, 2004) and (2) those after March 1977, when the eastern population declined and fragmented (Akcakaya, 1990) and after 1989-1991 was presumed to comprise only Syrian birds. Multiple records from the same area (radius < 300 km) within the same month were condensed into one.…”

“…We removed records that were unintelligible or unquantified, potentially related to experimental releases (Mendelssohn, 1994) or to known breeding sites in Syria, Turkey and surrounding areas. We also considered the recorded population dynamics of the colony breeding in Birecik, experimental releases undertaken at this site during 1976-1990(Arihan, 1998Pegoraro, 2003), experimental releases in Israel during 1983-1987(Mendelssohn, 1994 and the reported abundance of ibises in the Syrian desert until the 1980s (Serra et al, 2004). The remaining 74 records were divided into (1) those prior to March 1977, when a fully functional migratory eastern population comprised c. 20-40 breeding pairs from Birecik, Turkey, and dozens of pairs from Syria (Serra et al, 2004) and (2) those after March 1977, when the eastern population declined and fragmented (Akcakaya, 1990) and after 1989-1991 was presumed to comprise only Syrian birds.…”

Identification and gap analysis of key biodiversity areas: targets for comprehensive protected area systems

“…Species suffering higher extinction risk (as evaluated by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) 4 are natural targets for conservation investment. In addition, species vary substantially in the extent of their distribution, from species with nearly global ranges (e.g., Osprey Pandion haliaetus; del Hoyo et al 1992) to species whose ranges are tiny, either naturally (e.g., Kihansi Spray Toad Nectophrynoides asperginis; Poynton et al 1998), or as a result of range loss (e.g., Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita; Serra et al 2004). Restricted-range species have fewer spatial options for their conservation and so deserve particular attention in conservation planning aimed at preventing future species extinctions.…”