Foreign Policy Blogs

Balding Population

The Northern Bald Ibis

The Northern Bald Ibis

As previously discussed in this blog, Syria and Turkey have become much closed in recent years. That trend has continued in an issue especially close to this bloggers heart. Syria and Turkey are cooperating in efforts to save the endangered Northern Bald Ibis, a species thought to have only one active breeding pair left in Syria.

Turkey has agreed to donate 6 birds in total, 4 adults and 2 juveniles, to Syria in a last ditch effort to rebuild the native population. Apparently the transfer was finalized through the efforts of the Syrian and Turkish first ladies.

Hopefully this can serve as a model for further cooperation in the conservation field, as Syria serves as a vital migratory route for many severely endangered bird species.

 

Author

Walter Raubeson

Walter spent the last two years living and working in Damascus, reporting on the Syrian social, political, and cultural scene. Recently returned to the US, Walter continues to monitor Middle Eastern events with verve, and also gusto.

Having graduated from New York University's Masters Program in Political Science- International Relations-in September 2008, Walter's MA thesis analyzed the Lebanese political system; focusing on the impact of foreign intervention within Lebanon, particularly the roles of Iran, Israel, Syria, and the US.