With the complete fall of the city of Palmyra in Syria to the forces of the 'Islamic State' or ISIS, another concern has arisen for the historical artifacts and civilians of this city: the extinction of a rare bird known as the 'Northern Bald Ibis.' Reports indicate that this bird is an endangered species, and the last time a group of them was seen was in 2002 in northern Palmyra. The ITV news network reported that the guardians of three endangered ibises that were being protected abandoned their posts as ISIS forces approached. The fourth ibis has also disappeared, and a reward of one thousand dollars has been offered for its finder. According to the BBC, the Lebanon Nature Protection Association stated that finding the fourth ibis, named 'Zenobia,' is very important and vital. This association announced that Zenobia is the female ibis that knows the migration route from Ethiopia among the four ibises, and the other three cannot migrate without her presence. Additionally, the news site 'Rocket News' reported that without this female ibis, there is a risk of complete extinction for this bird. The report indicated that it was previously thought that this bird might have been completely extinct until about 10 years ago, when seven ibises were seen in Palmyra. However, despite the support provided, the number of these birds has decreased to four. Without Zenobia, there is little hope for the survival of the other three ibises. The Islamic State or ISIS has also captured Palmyra in Syria shortly after taking Ramadi in Iraq. This group has committed numerous acts of violence against civilians, women, and children and has destroyed many historical artifacts. The Northern Bald Ibis is a member of the stork family. Its habitat includes Syria, Turkey, Morocco, and Europe. The Northern Bald Ibis is a species of the family Threskiornithidae and is dark green with a purplish sheen, with a bare head. The Persian Language Academy has named this bird 'Northern Bald Ibis.' In the past, this bird was abundant in Europe, but due to excessive hunting, habitat changes, and the increase of insecticides in nature, its population has faced extinction. Currently, there are only two small populations of this bird, one in Syria and the other in Morocco. The population in Morocco does not migrate unusually and has settled only in the Atlas Mountains. The only migratory group of this bird is the quartet that exists in Syria and used to migrate to Ethiopia every year before. In this context, ISIS has killed '400 people,' including women and children, in Palmyra. The Security Council expresses 'deep concern' over the situation of civilians in Palmyra.
The Rare Bird 'Northern Bald Ibis' is Not Safe from ISIS
The rare Northern Bald Ibis faces extinction as ISIS captures Palmyra, raising concerns for both the bird and local civilians. The disappearance of the female ibis, Zenobia, could jeopardize the survival of the remaining birds. This situation highlights the broader impacts of ISIS's violence on both cultural heritage and biodiversity.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
ISIS has captured Palmyra, Syria, raising concerns about the endangered Northern Bald Ibis, particularly the disappearance of a key female ibis named Zenobia, which is crucial for the survival of the remaining birds.
- The Northern Bald Ibis is critically endangered, with only four known individuals remaining in Syria.
- Zenobia, the female ibis, is vital for the migration and survival of the other three ibises.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Northern Bald Ibis is a critically endangered species that has faced population decline due to habitat loss and hunting, with its last known migratory group in Syria threatened by ongoing violence.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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