The northern bald ibis Geronticus eremita disappeared from Europe in the Middle Ages. Since 2003 a migratory population has been reintroduced in Central Europe. We conducted demographic analyses of the survival and reproduction of 384 northern bald ibises over a period of 12 years (2008–2019). These data also formed the basis for a population viability analysis simulating the possible future development of the northern bald ibis population under different scenarios. We analysed life stage-specific survival rates, rearing protocols and colonies, and the influence of stochastic catastrophic events and reinforcement translocations on population growth. Life stage-specific survival probabilities were 0.64–0.78. Forty-five per cent of the mature females reproduced, with a mean fecundity of 2.15 fledglings per nest. The complementary population viability analysis indicated that the Waldrappteam population is close to self-sustainability, with an estimated population growth rate of 0.95 and a 24% extinction probability within 50 years. Of the 326 future scenarios tested, 94% reached the criteria of extinction probabilities < 5% and population growth rates > 1. Stochastic catastrophic events had only a limited effect. Despite comparatively high survival and fecundity rates the population viability analysis indicated that to achieve self-sustainability the Waldrappteam population needs further translocations to support population growth and the implementation of effective measures against major mortality threats: illegal hunting in Italy and electrocution on unsecured power poles. The findings of this study are to be implemented as part of a second European LIFE project.

In modern musicological literature the saeta is considered to belong to the domain of cante flamenco. It is a kind of song that is performed in several cities and villages of Andalusia, the most southern province of Spain. The lyrics, a stanza generally made up of five lines, deal with the suffering of Christ or the grief of his mother Mary. The music of the saeta is a rhythmically free flamenco song containing many melismas and ornaments. It is performed without the accompaniment of instruments (a palo seco; literally, “with a dry stick”). The performance of saeta takes place in the religious processions that are held in town during Holy Week, before Easter, and are organized by the local religious brotherhoods, the cofradías. During these processions through the streets of the cities, huge images of Christ and the Virgin Mary, called pasos, are carried. When at specific times such a procession comes to a halt, a singer, who is generally hired for the occasion by one of the local brotherhoods, may take the opportunity to direct him or herself to the image and perform a saeta. The performance gives listeners the impression of a spontaneous and improvised outburst of a musically gifted worshipper, who expresses his grief and feelings of sorrow aroused by the image.