An important reintroduction project for the hermit ibis is underway in Pozzolengo, where 32 chicks, hatched at the Rosegg Zoo, will be raised by two human adoptive mothers. Johanna Haas and Marie Batzdorf will dedicate themselves to these birds 24 hours a day, preparing them for the guided migration set to take place in August. This project aims to reintroduce the hermit ibis into the European wildlife after four centuries of extinction, with the support of the Parco Natura Viva in Bussolengo and the Austrian Waldrappteam.
The distinction between the hermit ibis and the sacred ibis is crucial for the success of the reintroduction. While the hermit ibis is a species protected by the European Union, the sacred ibis, native to sub-Saharan Africa, poses a threat to Italian ecosystems. The former has dark plumage with greenish reflections, while the latter is entirely white. Currently, there are about 160 hermit ibises living in Italy; thanks to this project, there is hope to increase the population and ensure a sustainable future for the species.
