DR ‹ › A rare bird once nearly wiped out has made a comeback in Morocco thanks to a successful breeding and reintroduction program at the National Zoological Garden of Rabat, reports Associated Press and Africa News. The northern bald ibis, hunted to near extinction by the 17th century, has been protected at the Rabat zoo since 2015, when around 20 birds were rescued. Ten years later, their number has doubled, according to Saad Azizi, head of the veterinary and zoological service in Rabat. Recognizable by their black-green feathers, bald red heads, and curved beaks, the birds once lived across North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Europe. Zoo staff recreated natural nesting conditions to support breeding. The birds form strong, long-term pairs and usually raise one or two chicks each year. The breeding season starts in late March, with chicks hatching in early June, under close veterinary care. The birds are fed a diet designed to reflect what they eat in the wild and are kept in protected enclosures to prevent disease. Once ready, they are gradually released into the wild to strengthen the population. Each bird is tagged so experts can continue to monitor it after release.
