Conservation success: Bald ibis makes comeback on Euphrates Cliffs after 50-year effort

Birecik, Turkey: Towering above the crystal-clear waters of the Euphrates River, sandstone cliffs have for thousands of years hosted the bald ibis as it returns from Ethiopia during the spring migration.

But when modern dangers disrupted this age-old balance, a coalition of local wildlife enthusiasts and international conservation efforts pulled the majestic bird back from the brink.The rescue, almost 50 years in the making, is an early sign that long-term conservation of migratory birds can succeed even when threats persist along migration routes.

“Juvenile, 1 year old, brown with feathers on head,” says Mustafa Çulcuoğlu, pointing to where the camera should focus. “Adult, bald head, green and red feathers in sun, do you see?”A local wildlife guide and third-generation bald ibis advocate, Çulcuoğlu was born in Birecik, a historic town on the Euphrates that rises up and over the sandstone cliffs where the birds nest. He has witnessed local attitudes toward wildlife shift over decades.

Once critically endangered, the bald ibis population in Turkey has stabilized thanks to habitat protection, captive breeding, and community-led monitoring. The cliffs of Birecik remain one of the last strongholds for the species, drawing conservationists and birdwatchers each spring.