Islamic State now a threat to critically endangered bird in Syria

Not only is ISIS a peril to people and archaeological sites--a rare bird inadvertently finds itself in the crosshairs of the the Islamic State.

From the BBC:

A rare bird may become extinct in Syria because of the capture of Palmyra by Islamic State, experts say.

A tiny breeding colony of the northern bald ibis - a critically endangered species - was found near the city in 2002.

Only one female returned from the wintering grounds in spring 2013.

Three further birds held in captivity were abandoned last week after their Bedouin guards fled the fighting. Their fate is unknown.