The Waldrapp

A species of the ibis bird.

Waldrappe are one of the most threatened animal species on earth. Today there is only one wild colony in Morocco and the remaining population of the eastern Waldrappe in Syria has practically died out.

The "Waldrapp Team" project aims to reintroduce the birds to Central Europe. For this it is especially necessary to show the birds from zoo keep the way to their winter area. Hand-reared young birds are trained to follow a microlight to guide them to a suitable winter area.

 

2004 - start of the project

Waldrappe at the state horticultural show

Since 2007

Young birds are brought to Tuscany.

2011

The first bird returns on its own.

2015

The colony moves to the Powder Tower.

2019

Independent, migrating breeding colony.

The Waldrapp in Burghausen

 

The Waldrappe breed in nesting niches on the castle wall by the Powder Tower. In the wall from the Powder Tower down to the Salzach there is a gate after approx. 100 m through which you can get to the nesting niches on the southeast side of the wall and observe the Waldrappe.

 

It is possible to watch the free-living Waldrappe at the breeding site at the Powder Tower in front of the magnificent backdrop of the castle while the young birds are rearing. The breeding colony is looked after by an employee of the Waldrapp team together with volunteers and the environmental agency of the city of Burghausen.

 

The first birds arrive in Burghausen at the beginning of April and begin courtship and breeding. The young birds fledge from around mid-June. The birds leave the breeding area again around the beginning of August. They often stay for weeks in the northern foothills of the Alps and look for rich hay meadows to forage. Sporadically they return to Burghausen during this period, but hardly use the breeding niches as a sleeping or resting place. The actual migration to the south begins in September, with the young birds joining conspecifics they have come across and following them into the winter area.

  • From April to August you can observe the Waldrappe around Burghausen.

  • If you have any questions, contact Oliver Habel, T: +49 151 22374920

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