War in Syria prevents bird migration

A number of critically endangered northern bald ibises, considered a "symbol of abundance" in the southeastern province of ?anl?urfa, are waiting for the war in Syria to end before they migrate. 

The Bald ?bis Reproduction Center, which was established in 1977 in the city's Birecik district, carries out efforts to allow these birds to survive and reproduce.

The center feeds them a special diet including fat-free ground meat, boiled eggs, grated carrots, chicken feed and unsalted cheese. 

In the spring months, when the birds' reproduction season begins, the bald ibises are released into their natural habitat on the banks of the F?rat River but when the migration season starts, they are collected and put into cages to prevent them from migrating to the Middle East. 

The birds are being followed daily by teams from the General Directorate of Nature Conversation and National Parks. With transmitters on their feet, the birds will only be sent on their migration routes after the war in Syria and the conflicts in the Middle East end. 

General Directorate of Nature Conversation and National Parks 3rd Region Director ?srafil Erdo?an said thanks to their efforts, the number of animals at the station has been increasing every year. 

He said the birds in the station were closely monitored, and added, "Because of disinfestation against malaria and other diseases in the 1950s, biological diversity disappeared. Bald ibises are in danger of extinction in the world. In Turkey they are only living in Birecik. Eleven birds were caught in 1977 and put into the station. Now the number is 205."

Erdo?an said they had observed in previous years that dangerous chemicals in materials the birds had collected to make their nests had...