Three years (2003-05) had to be waited before trapping and satellite tagging could be carried out in Palmyra: in 2003 the problem was mainly technical impreparation (the operation was complex and delicate) while during period 2004-05 it was bureaucracy that blocked the operation (see National Geographic video at bottom of page).

Following a determined advocacy campaign in Syria during the winter 2005-06, which even prompted the direct interest and support from H.E. the Syrian First Lady, a field operation was implemented in spring 2006 which succeeded in trapping and tagging three adult ibises. The involvement of world-class veteran ornithologist Lubomir Peske was crucial. The migratory route and the wintering grounds of the NBI colony was therefore unveiled during July-August 2006, and followed on-line by bird enthusiasts from all over the world through a web-dedicated page prepared by RSPB.

The ibises flew southward over 3000 Km to reach a remote site on the Ethiopian highlands (Lindsell et al. 2009), at an altitude of about 2700 m asl, where they spent almost 6 months.

The 3 tagged ibises returned to their Syrian breeding grounds in February 2007, using a partly different route. One of the four adults (the untagged one) was lost during the return migration - evidencing that there were threats in place along the migration route.