Bhubaneswar: The northern bald ibis, an ancient bird which was thought to exist only in drawings, has made a comeback after 300 years.
Human activities such as hunting, habitat destruction and use of pesticides had driven the bird to the edge of extinction.
However, according to a CNN report, dedicated conservation efforts has saved the ancient bird and it can now be seen in Europe.
The conservation initiatives in Morocco have stabilised their numbers.
The establishment of the Souss-Massa National Park on Morocco’s west coast in 1991 provided the much-needed protection for the bird’s breeding and feeding habitats.
A research programme launched in 1994 helped in monitoring the birds’ population, leading to their resurgence.
These birds prefer to nest in cliffs, rocky outcrops and even in urban ruins. Their diet consists mainly of insects and larvae.