Project Bald Ibis (Waldrapp) (Geronticus eremita)
A Sustainable Human-Animal Coexistence in the Alpine AreaProposal for a Project in Burghausen / Germany
German Project Partner: The Town of Burghausen, Local Project Organisation: Bund Naturschutz Burghausen Content:
1. Introduction 2. Definition of Project Goals 3. Detailed Project Plan and Timeline 4. Project Costs
Today the northern bald ibis (waldrapp) is one of the most critically endangered bird species with only about 200 surviving in the wild but not in central
Europe anymore. Historical documents reveal the waldrapp has been a native bird in southern Germany and Austria in the middle ages. According to Valerius Cordus (1544) the waldrapp has been breeding in Passau and Kelheim in the 16th
century. A waldrapp population right next to the city of Salzburg has been reported in other historical documents. The rivers Salzach and Inn connect Salzburg and Passau. Along this natural axis there is only one area which offers steep cliffs and rocks as a breeding habitat and that is the town of Burghausen. Thus it is extremely likely that Burghausen has been one of the historical breeding locations of the waldrapp in southern Germany. This historical background, the steep cliffs of the Salzach canyon as a potential new waldrapp habitat and the proximity to the other subproject locations especially Grünau and Salzburg make Burghausen an ideal location for a German subproject within the project outlined by Prof. Kotrschal.
Also the citizens of Burghausen have already developed a certain awareness for rare animal species. Burghausen is one of the last places in Germany where the asculap snake (Elaphe longissima), the largest snake in
Germany, still lives in the wild. And the Salzach-Inn area was among the first areas in Germany where beavers were successfully reintroduced. In combination with these rare species the waldrapp will further enhance Burghausen’s image
as a special area with outstanding cultural and natural attractions (eco-tourism). In this sense a sustainable human-animal coexistence will be a benefit as well for Burghausen as for the waldrapp as a flagpole species and could be a
showcase for other municipalities in Germany.
The Burghausen Subproject will have two main goals:
I. Education of the public about endangered or extincted species during the Bavaria Garden show 2004 and thereafter II. Preparation of a waldrapp reintroduction
by a study of partly free flying birds (feasibility study concerning feeding and breeding grounds)
The Bavarian Garden Show 2004 (Landesgartenschau, LGS) offers a unique opportunity to inform the public about the waldrapp as a “historical Burghausen bird” (about
1 million visitors expected). In this sense the waldrapp will be a showcase for our human-animal relationship and how it developed during the last centuries and how it could possibly develop in the future. Since the waldrapp was a
frequent visitor of gardens during the middle ages (captured birds were even used as “snail killers”) it has a perfect connection to a garden show. The waldrapp aviary
to be build for the LGS will be a starting point for a 4 year study of partly free flying birds and how they “conquer” the Burghausen environment. It will be a feasibility study in order to evaluate the suitability of the Burghausen area
concerning feeding and breeding grounds. This study is part of a european project coordinated by Prof. Kotrschal (KLF Grünau) which will be conducted in four eurpopean countries. Thus this local project will be part of a network which
supports the aspect of european integration. This network will also create new partnerships between different european municipalities and institutions. |
