Among those facing the heat of the recent ISIS militant's excesses in the Syrian town of Palmyra are the northern Bald Ibis bird species that are already on the verge of extinction. None of the only four known specimens of the birds are traceable after ISIS made fresh inroads in the ancient town steeped with historical and cultural significance.
Three birds were being held captive in a small breeding center though their fate is unknown after their Bedouin guards fled to escape the invading ISIS forces. A fourth bird, a female named Zenobia that got its name after a queen from Palmyra could not be found either. Zenobia is considered to be most crucial as it is the only bird that knows the winter migration route to Europe, BBC reported.
The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon has declared a reward of $1000 to anyone offering information about Zenobia.
Bald Ibis once roamed freely across Europe, Africa and the Middle-East though their numbers dwindled drastically due to hunting, human encroachment on their habitat and poisoning from pesticides. They were long considered extinct until a group of seven were found in Palmyra in 2002. However, their number continued to decline and now with the loss of the last four remaining birds, it is not known for sure if the species has already been lost forever.
The ISIS group uphold a very strict and hard-line view of Islam and has earned notoriety the world over for the extremely ruthless manner in which they have gone about implementing their viewpoint.
It was just a few months back that the ISIS group were seen destroying priceless statues and other artefacts, some several thousand years old, in the historical Mosul museum in an attempt to wipe out what they consider to be un-islamic beliefs and ideas, The Guardian reported. Hundreds of thousands of men, women and children have suffered in the hands of the ISIS in the name of religion and it could be a surprise if the four birds come out unscathed from their wrath.