Rare species
Michele Merola, a member of the ACMA National Council, forwarded the report received from the Petritoli area, in the province of Fermo. Here, on the morning of December 2nd, during an inspection of his land, a farmer made a truly exceptional sighting: a hermit ibis (Geronticus eremita), one of the rarest species in the world, is now the focus of the international LIFE project, dedicated to its reintroduction to Europe. The animal, recognizable by its long, curved beak and distinctive dark plumage, was observed in good condition while feeding in a farmland on the outskirts of town. The sighting was promptly reported to hunting associations, thus contributing to monitoring the species during its migratory phase. Further investigation suggests it is the northern bald ibis named Emilie, who, like all LIFE subjects, is equipped with a GPS tracker.
What the project foresees
The LIFE project, led by the Waldrappteam, aims to reintroduce the northern bald ibis to Central Europe by rebuilding a stable migratory population. The initiative involves controlled breeding, training in guided migration, and satellite monitoring of individuals, thus allowing their movements to be followed and protected along the main routes.
The role of hunters
Not everyone knows that the hunting community has actively contributed to the protection of this species over the years. Federcaccia Nazionale (National Hunting Federation) joined the project in 2014 by symbolically adopting a northern bald ibis, named Artemide, thus supporting the conservation and reintroduction efforts coordinated by the Waldrappteam, which is also supported in this initiative by several regional hunting federations. Petritoli's sighting thus also serves as an opportunity to highlight the importance of collaboration between hunters, citizens, and institutions. Visitors to the area, especially on hunting days, are therefore urged to pay particular attention to the possible presence of the northern bald ibis. The protection of this threatened species also depends on the commitment and sensitivity of those who live in rural areas every day (source: Federcaccia).
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