A four hundred year hiatus: The Northern Bald Ibis returns to Europe

For four hundred years, the Northern Bald Ibis disappeared from European skies. Today, thanks to the work of conservationists, nearly 300 reintroduced birds make their yearly pilgrimage between their breeding grounds in Austria and their wintering grounds in Spain. This was the first attempt to reintroduce a continentally extinct migratory species and the journey has been one of creativity, nerve and incredible determination. It begins 30 years ago with Johannes Fritz, a conservationist in Austria.

Read the full blog on the Zeiss website.

Photo credit: Waldrappteam Conservation and Research