This bird came back from extinction - now scientists in an aircraft are teaching it to migrate

A flock of northern bald ibis, or Waldrapp, are led along by ‘foster parents’ in a tiny aircraft. The journey is expected to take up to 50 days. Photograph: AP

The northern bald ibis was extinct in central Europe for 300 years. Now, it has returned – and scientist “foster parents” aboard a tiny plane are teaching the birds to fly their long-forgotten migration routes.

Thirty-six of these endangered birds are now following an ultralight aircraft 1,740 miles (2,800km ) from Austria to Spain, on a trip that could take up to 50 days to complete.